Man, 30s, arrested in connection with execution-style murder of Cork man in Mallow

Investigators are appealing for witnesses and camera footage after the 56-year-old was found dead near the River Blackwater

Gardaí at the scene where Paul 'Bosco' O'Connor's body was discovered near the Waste Water treatment plant at Ballyellis in Mallow. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with the execution-style murder of Paul ‘Bosco’ O’Connor.

Mr O’Connor, 56, was found dead on the banks of the River Blackwater at Ballyellis, on the outskirts of Mallow, at about 1.30pm on Thursday.

Mr O’Connor, who was from the Ballyphehane area of Cork city, suffered gunshot wounds and may have been shot at very close range.

Gardaí arrested a man in his 30s on Monday evening in connection with the investigation. He is being detained at a garda station in the Southern Region under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said the investigation remains ongoing.

Investigation

Before his death, Mr O’Connor took the train from Kent Station in Cork city to Mallow on Wednesday evening, arriving after 7.20pm.

He then walked from the railway station for about 3km beyond Mallow town to the College Wood housing estate.

His body was found on a secluded riverbank near the estate the following day.

He had taken the longest route to the area, bypassing shortcuts that would be familiar to people who knew the locality.

Gardaí carried out door-to-door inquiries in the College Wood estate and surrounding areas following the discovery of Mr O’Connor’s body.

They also searched the surrounding countryside for evidence, using implements to beat back overgrowth and vegetation.

His body was removed from the scene, and a post-mortem examination was conducted by State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

The results of the post-mortem will not be released for operational reasons.

Mr O’Connor was wearing a dark green hooded jacket, khaki-coloured combat trousers and black runners.

Gardaí appeal for information

Investigating gardaí are appealing to anyone who travelled on the train between Kent and Mallow stations that evening, or who may have seen Mr O’Connor in Mallow between 7.20pm on October 14 and 1.30pm on October 15, to come forward.

Gardaí are also seeking information from anyone who was near the River Blackwater at Ballyellis during that period.

Road users and pedestrians who were in the area and may have camera footage, including dashcam recordings, are asked to make it available to investigators.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mallow Garda Station on 022-31450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111, or any garda station.