Cork man to be sentenced next month for manslaughter of mother of two Paula Canty

Paula Canty was found at a flat in Mallow with stab wounds in January 2025

Joseph Butler (pictured) had been charged initially with the murder of Ms Canty, but the plea of guilty to the manslaughter charge was accepted by the State. File picture: Larry Cummins

Sentencing was scheduled for July 24 in the case against the man who admitted the manslaughter of a young mother of two in a flat in Mallow in January last year.

Joseph Butler of the Belfry, Bridewell Lane, Mallow, pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of 31-year-old Paula Canty at the Belfry, Bridewell Lane, Mallow, County Cork, on January 3, 2025.

The case had been adjourned until Wednesday at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork for a date to be fixed for sentencing and for a probation report to be prepared on the 43-year-old defendant.

Prosecution senior counsel Donal O’Sullivan said the probation report had been prepared and the case was ready for sentencing from the prosecution point of view.

Defence senior counsel Ray Boland commented that the probation report was very positive and that the defence wished to have time for the preparation of some testimonials on the defendant.

Joseph Butler appeared by video link from prison today but Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford directed that he would appear in court in person on July 24 at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Butler, who is originally from Midleton, County Cork, had been charged initially with the murder of Ms Canty. However, prosecution senior counsel Mr O’Sullivan said the plea of guilty to the manslaughter charge was acceptable to the State.

Mr Boland said on the last occasion: “He is a 43-year-old man with a history of substance abuse. He is very remorseful about events of that night… He has written a letter of apology to the family of Ms Canty.” 

The family of the late Ms Canty will have an opportunity to present their victim impact statement at the time of the hearing.

In initial reports of the investigation it was reported that the body of the late Ms Canty was found at a flat in Mallow with stab wounds.

Paula Canty was described as having a kind heart and good nature and being gentle, likeable, courteous and artistic. File picture

Fr Robert Young told mourners at the requiem mass for the deceased in January 2025, in St John the Baptist Church in Kinsale, that that no parent should have to suffer the loss of a child.

“To lose a son or daughter is a particular kind of grief. It is not the natural scheme of things that a son or daughter would die before their parent. It is certainly not the natural scheme of things that a parent would have to experience the murder of a son or daughter.

"It is heartbreaking to think about it and to see you carrying your pain. We want to acknowledge your grief, your sadness, your heartbreak.” 

Fr Young went on describe the late Ms Canty, who was a native of Kinsale, as having a kind heart and good nature and being gentle, likeable, courteous and artistic.