Gardai have identified a chief suspect in the murder of a young woman who was stabbed to death in a north Cork apartment.
Officers formally upgraded the investigation into the death of young mother Paula Canty to murder on Sunday – after a postmortem examination confirmed that she had died from being stabbed.
Ms Canty – who was due to celebrate her 32nd birthday on Monday, was discovered with a stab wound to the chest in an upstairs apartment in the Belfry complex in Bridewell Lane, Mallow, Co Cork at around 10.30am on Friday.
It is understood officers have since focused their investigation on a male suspect known to Ms Canty – following unfounded claims to gardai that she had harmed herself.
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Sources say officers responded to a 999 call in which it was claimed Ms Canty was self-harming.
However, after finding her lifeless body and a horrific scene, officers immediately began to suspect that Ms Canty had in fact been brutally murdered.
Officers are now understood to be examining claims made to them and attempting to speak to those who last saw the young woman alive.
A death notice on RIP.ie over the weekend stated that funeral details are being prepared as condolences are paid to her beloved mum Sinead, children Alyisha and Aoibhe, her family, relatives and a large circle of friends.
Tributes have flooded in for the young mum as she is remembered as ‘a lovely young lady’.
“Sincere sympathy to Paula’s Mum Sinead and Alisha and Aoibhe on Paula’s sad passing. Sincere sympathy also to Paula’s brothers and sisters. Always loved her visits to Kinsale Library. May Paula’s gentle soul rest in Heavenly Peace,” said one mourner.
Another added: “Sorry to hear of a lovely young lady passing away. Her whole life has been taking away from her And leaving a young family behind here. Deepest sympathy to her mother and her kids and the rest of her family We will keep ye in our prayers at this sad time. May Paula rest in peace.”
A number of Ms Canty’s friends shared tributes on social media, with one person writing: “Omg I’m absolutely shocked writing this only seen u few weeks ago love such a sad world all young people passing way two soon. Rip Paula Canty one of the nicest harmless gurls u wud meet many a laff we had bure in the laundry and playing cards will hold them memories close gurl please god watch over her two children and her family.”
Paula would have turned 32 on Monday
(Image: No credit)
Another of Ms Canty’s friend wrote: “R.I.P Paula Canty. Cant Believe This. Spend time in the docus with you Thank god we wore never on bad terms. Your lIfe got robbed girl. Your safe now pal. Thinking of your family.”
Ms Canty was previously known to gardai and had 137 previous convictions – including one for burglary and 83 for theft. In November of 2022 she was convicted of breaking into the home of an 85-year-old man. Judge Helen Boyle imposed sentence of three years, with the last year suspended, at the time.
On Friday, Gardai were conducting door-to-door enquiries and attempting to harvest CCTV footage from nearby businesses and premises.
Paula Canty, whose body was discovered in an apartment in Mallow, Co Cork
(Image: No credit)
In an updated press release on Sunday, gardai confirmed the investigation had been upgraded to murder.
“A postmortem examination has been carried out by the Assistant State Pathologist and preliminary results have been provided to the investigating team. Details of these results are not being released for operational purposes,” a garda spokesperson said.
A senior investigating officer (SIO) is leading the investigation from the incident room at Mallow Garda Station.
A family liaison officer (FLO) continues to provide support to the family, officers said.
Gardai 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 between 9pm on Thursday 2 January and Friday 3 January, 2025 at 10am.
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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