Family of mum-of-two Paula Canty 'broken' following violent death as man arrested

The family of tragic mother-of-two Paula Canty are “broken” following her violent death in Mallow last week, according to a friend who knew her through the charity, Cork Penny Dinners.

Caitríona Twomey said everyone at the voluntary organisation was “heartbroken”, adding that it was impossible to put the pain felt by her family and friends into words.

“Paula was lovely and we are heartbroken, as everybody is. Her family are broken, and everybody feels it,” she said.

“Paula was a stunning-looking girl, she was beautiful and just didn’t deserve this, [she had] two beautiful children. Our hearts are broken,” added Ms Twomey.

READ MORE: Gardai identify chief suspect in murder of young mother in Cork apartment

READ MORE: Tributes paid to Cork mum-of-two Paula Canty as gardai to launch murder inquiry

They spoke out as it emerged a man had been arrested for questioning and held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He can be detained for up to 24 hours before he is released or charged. It is understood he was known to the deceased.

Ms Canty, who had been due to celebrate her 32nd birthday yesterday, was found with a suspected stab injury at her apartment on Bridewell Lane in Mallow, Co Cork on Friday morning.

Gardaí formally launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem examination confirmed that she had died from stab injuries. It is understood that a chief suspect has been identified.

Paula Canty, 31, was found dead in suspicious circumstances in a flat in Mallow, Co Cork on Friday

Ms Twomey, who is the volunteer coordinator with Cork Penny Dinners, told RTÉ Radio that she knew Ms Canty through the charity, which provides food to homeless people and other vulnerable groups.

She said that service users were fearful following Ms Canty’s death.

“People ask us at the door, you know… and we’re trying to allay people’s fears. And they’re all upset, obviously, and they’d be saying ‘Sure, it could be any one of us the next time,” said Ms Twomey.

“But the fact is that it’s somebody. It shouldn’t be happening. It’s so, so wrong. The pain it’s causing to Paula’s family, her friends, you can’t even put into words. We’re broken by it, so you can imagine the way they are.”

Ms Canty, who was originally from Kinsale, is survived by her mother Sinead, her daughters Alyisha and Aoibhe, and her siblings Darragh, Donna, Latoya, David, and Rianna.

Gardai are investigating the death of 31-year-old Paula Canty, whose body was discovered in an apartment in Mallow, Co Cork.

Her mother has set up a fundraising campaign for the homeless charity, Street Angels, following Ms Canty’s death. On the GoFundMe page, she wrote: “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 with her loving family and with her good friends.

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

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