Face of woman found dead in Cork apartment as gardai probe possible stabbing

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

By: irishmirror.ie

Jan 03 2025
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Face of woman found dead in Co

Gardai are investigating whether this 31-year-old woman was stabbed to death in an apartment in North Cork. Paula Canty, who was previously well-known to gardai, was found with a suspected stab injury in an apartment at the Belfry on Bridewell Lane in Mallow at around 10.30am on Friday.

It is understood a local raised the alarm and alerted gardai and emergency services to the scene.

Officers were set to launch a full murder investigation but awaited the results of a post mortem examination which was due to take place after the body is removed from the scene.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster attended the scene and examined the body while there - before it was set to move to Cork University Hospital for the post mortem.

Sources say the initial suspicion was that the young woman - who is understood to originally be from the Kinsale area, was stabbed to death in the apartment. However sources say officers will await a post mortem result before making a determination as to the cause of death.

It is thought she had been living in the area for the past year.

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

Ms Canty had made headlines in the past - having appeared in court on a number of occasions - during which time it was revealed that she had over 70 previous convictions. In January 2023 she was jailed for 10 months for three more counts of shoplifting.

In a more recent court appearance Ms Canty pleaded guilty to having a cannabis joint in her possession - and her then solicitor Eddie Burke said gardai familiar with the defendant may have been surprised to see her come into court totally sober.

“She has completed her full treatment programme at Coolmine and she is doing extremely well. She has been giving clean urinalysis for a long period,” he told the court in May of last year.

“Originally from Kinsale she had a very difficult time in her early life. Whatever happened in Dóchas (centre in prison in Dublin) seems to be working the oracle. And she is not hanging around Cork city meeting old foes,” Mr Burke said.

Meanwhile locals in Mallow have reacted with shock over the investigation. Local TD Ken O’Flynn said: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic discovery of a woman’s body in Mallow this morning. As someone who has lived in this town for over 20 years, I can truly say that a dark cloud hangs over our close-knit community today.

"The shock and sorrow felt by our residents is palpable. It appears that the woman was well-known and respected among her friends and neighbours, which makes this tragic event hit even harder. In a small town like Mallow, we are all interconnected, and when something happens to one of us, it affects us all.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family of this lady, as well as all those who knew and loved her. I urge everyone to come together during this difficult time, supporting each other as we process this heartbreaking news.
I would also like to commend the Gardaí for their swift response and ongoing investigation into this matter."

The woman’s family were informed of the death and a liaison officer has been appointed to assist them at this time.

On Friday officers were conducting door to door enquiries and attempting to harvest CCTV footage from nearby businesses and premises.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them and are seeking any available camera footage, including dashcam recordings, from those who were in the vicinity of Bridewell Lane, Mallow, Co Cork between 9pm on January 2 and 10am on January 3. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Mallow Garda Station on 022 31450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

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