A 42-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with the murder of a young mother of two found stabbed to death in a flat in Mallow in North Cork last week.
Joseph Butler of the Belfry, Bridewell Lane, Mallow was charged with the murder Paula Canty (31) at the Belfry, Bridewell Lane, Mallow on January 3rd.
Mr Butler, who is originally from Midleton in east Cork, was brought before Midleton District Court at 11am on Thursday where he was charged with the murder of Ms Canty.
Det Sgt Micheal O’Regan of Mallow Garda station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court that he arrested Mr Butler at Bowling Green, Mallow at 3.09am on Thursday morning.
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He told the court that he charged Mr Butler with Ms Canty’s murder at 3.31am and that Mr Butler made no reply to the charge when it was put to him after caution.
Sgt Majella O’Sullivan said a murder accused is not entitled to apply for a bail in the district court and gardaí were seeking a remand in custody to Mallow District Court next Tuesday.
Mr Butler’s solicitor, Joe Cuddigan said his client was disputing the evidence given by Det Sgt O’Regan and it would be his client’s evidence that he replied “not guilty” to the charge.
Mr Cuddigan questioned Det Sgt O’Regan about his reply and Det Sgt O’Regan said that he had taken a contemporaneous note “no reply” and wrote it on the charge sheet at the time.
He said that he returned to his office after he charged Mr Butler but when he came out of his office, Mr Butler was being brought from the cell and told him “Micheal, I’m not f**king guilty.”
Mr Cuddigan said his client would be contesting the case and he asked Det Sgt O’Regan if the book of evidence would be prepared within the 42 day period required under the legislation.
Det Sgt O’Regan said gardaí would do their best whereupon Judge Roberts intervened and told Mr Cuddigan that he understood his client would be contesting the charge.
He remanded Mr Butler in custody to appear again at Mallow District Court on Tuesday by video link and he also granted him free legal aid and assigned Mr Cuddigan to represent him.
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