Cork mother-of-two died from stab wound to thorax, inquest hears

A 31-year-old mother-of-two suffered haemorrhage and shock after she sustained a stab wound to the thorax, an inquest has heard.

Cork Coroner’s Court briefly opened the inquest into the death of Paula Canty, who was a native of Kinsale. Ms Canty was found dead on January 3, 2025, at her home in Bridewell Lane, Mallow. She died just three days before her 32nd birthday.

Joseph Butler, aged 42, of the Belfry in Mallow was subsequently charged with her murder contrary to common law.

Evidence of the cause of death was given at Mallow courthouse by Dr Margaret Bolster. She carried out an autopsy on the deceased on January 4 in the morgue in Cork City.

Dr Bolster indicated that the death occurred arising out of a stabbing incident. Inspector Paul Aherne told Coroner for County Cork, Frank O’Connell, that Ms Canty was pronounced dead by a doctor at a property in Mallow at 1.45pm.

He indicated that a man has been sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court having been charged in connection with the death of Ms Canty.

Inspector Aherne applied for an adjournment of the inquest following the serving of the book of evidence on the accused. Mr O’Connell said that following the commencement of legal proceedings, he planned to adjourn the inquest for an indefinite period.

“I am adjourning the inquest ‘sine die’. There will be no decision now. We will revisit the situation (when proceedings end).” 

Ms Canty is survived by her mother Sinead, her daughters Alyisha and Aoibhe and her five siblings, Darragh, Donna, Latoya, David and Rianna.