Cork gardaí charge man with murder of mother of two Paula Canty

Midleton District Court heard that Joseph Butler said 'not fucking guilty' after he was charged with her murder

Joseph Butler arriving at Midleton District Court on Thursday. He protested in court to the alleged lack of reply after the charge. Picture: Larry Cummins

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Cork mother of two Paula Canty.

Joseph Butler, 42, said “not fucking guilty” after he was charged with her murder on Thursday morning, Midleton District Court heard.

He was charged that on January 3, he murdered Ms Canty, age 31, at The Belfry, Bridewell Lane, Mallow. The accused has an address at the same location.

Detective Sgt Micheál O’Regan said that Mr Butler was charged at 3.31am and made no reply after caution.

But the accused’s solicitor, Joseph Cuddigan, said that his client had instructed him that he had actually replied “not guilty”.

When Mr Butler protested in court to the alleged lack of reply after the charge, Judge Colm Roberts told him to allow his solicitor to speak.

Det Sgt O’Regan said that Mr Butler initially made no reply after the charge. But later, after Det Sgt O'Regan had returned to his office, he was told that Mr Butler said that he was “not fucking guilty”. Judge Roberts noted that Mr Butler had made the further reply of “not fucking guilty”.

Mr Cuddigan said that the matter was being contested.

Paula Canty lived at 31 The Belfry, Bridewell Lane, Mallow.

“I take it there will be no problem supplying the book of evidence in the statutory 42-day period," Mr Cuddigan said. Det Sgt O’Regan said that he would "try his best" to do so.

Sgt Majella O’Sullivan said that the accused could not apply for bail on a murder charge at the District Court level. She requested that he be remanded in custody until January 14 via videolink at Mallow District Court. Judge Roberts consented to this request.

“My condolences and sympathies go out to Ms Canty’s mother and children,” Judge Roberts said. He said that he “was aware” of Mr Butler’s circumstances and would grant legal aid.

Mr Butler appeared in court wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark-coloured tracksuit bottoms.

His dark hair was gelled down and he had a dark beard.

Some of Ms Canty's family were in court for the charge.

Ms Canty was originally from Kinsale but had been living in Mallow in recent months. She will lie in repose at Gabriel and O’Donovan’s Funeral Home, Kinsale on Friday from 5pm followed by prayers at 6pm.

Her requiem Mass will be held on Saturday at 11am in St. John the Baptist Church, Kinsale. She will then be buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Nohoval.

Ms Canty is survived by her two daughters, her mother, Sinead, and her siblings, Darragh, Donna, Latoya, David and Rianna.

Her death notice said that she died tragically at her home in Mallow and she would be sadly missed by her heartbroken family and her large circle of friends.

Ms Canty was the first woman to be fatally assaulted in Ireland this year. She died just days before what should have been her 32nd birthday on Monday.