Man faces sentencing for manslaughter of mother of two in Cork

Joseph Butler will be sentenced later this month for the manslaughter of Paula Canty at an apartment in Mallow, County Cork. The Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork heard victim impact statements in the case. The Journal reported that Ms Canty died from a single knife wound to the chest on 3 January 2025. [1]

The 43-year-old defendant, who is originally from Midleton in County Cork, stabbed the 31-year-old mother of two at The Belfry on Bridewell Lane and left her on the floor. According to The Journal, Ms Canty was due to celebrate her 32nd birthday three days after she died. [1]

During questioning by gardaí, Mr Butler claimed that he did not feel guilty about what happened because he considered the stabbing to be an accident. The court heard the details during the hearing in Cork. [1]