A 43-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Paula Canty in County Cork. Joseph Butler, with an address at The Belfry, Brideview, Tallow, Co Waterford, entered the plea at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork on Monday, April 14, 2026.
Ms. Canty, a 31-year-old mother of two, died following an incident at The Belfry in Mallow, Co Cork, on January 3, 2025. Butler had initially been charged with her murder. The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions accepted the plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Mr. Justice Paul McDermott remanded Butler in continuing custody. He adjourned the case for sentencing to July 25, 2026, and directed the preparation of a victim impact statement from Ms. Canty's family.
