LAST UPDATE | 6 hrs ago

A 42-YEAR-OLD MAN has been charged with the murder of mother of two Paula Canty in Mallow, Co Cork on 3 January.

Joseph Butler (42) appeared before Midleton District Court today charged with the murder contrary to common law of Paul Canty (31) at the Belfry, Bridewell Lane, Mallow, Co Cork.

Paula, who is a native of Kinsale, Co Cork died three days before her 32nd birthday.

Detective Sergeant Michael O’Regan of Mallow Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He said that Butler made no reply when the charge of murder was put to him under caution at Mallow Garda Station.

However, defence solicitor Joseph Cuddigan asked whether the garda had had a second subsequent interaction with his client at the station.

O’Regan told Judge Colm Roberts that after the charge was formally put to Butler, he returned to his office before subsequently going back to the defendant.

At this stage, Butler told him: “I am not fucking guilty.”

Cuddigan stated that Butler planned to contest the murder charge. O’Regan said he would try his best to have the matter ready for referral within the statutory 42 day period.

As the charge involved is murder, bail must be sought at the High Court. Judge Roberts remanded Butler in custody to appear by video-link before Mallow District Court on 14 January.

Free legal aid was granted to the accused. Judge Roberts offered the condolences of the court to Paula’s mother relatives.

Paula is survived by her mother Sinéád, her children Alyisha and Aoibhe and her five siblings. She was pronounced dead in an upper storey rented flat in the Belfry Complex in Bridewell Lane in Mallow last Friday morning.

A postmortem examination was carried out on Saturday at Cork University Hospital by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster. The results of the examination were not released for operational reasons.

However, the investigation was upgraded to a murder probe. Paula’s mother Sinéad has set up a memorial fund in honour of her “beautiful” daughter Paula.

“The organisation I have chosen to be the beneficiary of the funds is Street Angels in Cork who provides a brilliant service to all those in need.

“Our beautiful, kind Paula has gained her wings this week. She was taken from us way too soon in a sudden and tragic way without any goodbyes. Paula was looking forward to a fresh, bright new year start with her loving family and with her good friends.

“The community, our family, relatives, neighbours, and a large circle of friends are just heartbroken.

Funeral arrangements are being finalised for Paula by her family and large circle of friends.