A 43-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of mother of two Paula Canty in Mallow, Co Cork on 3 January 2025.
Joseph Butler had previously been charged with the murder contrary to common law of Ms Canty, 31, at the Belfry, Bridewell Lane, Mallow, Co Cork.
She died three days before her 32nd birthday.
Today at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork, prosecution senior counsel Dónal O'Sullivan said that a plea of manslaughter was acceptable to the State.
Butler, who is originally from Midleton in Co Cork, only spoke to confirm his plea of guilty to the unlawful killing of Canty.
Defence barrister Ray Boland, SC, said that his client has a history of substance abuse.
He told the court that Butler was "very remorseful" for his actions and had written a letter of apology to the family of the deceased. The letter will be forwarded to the State.
Boland asked that a probation report be prepared in advance of the sentencing hearing.
Judge Siobhán Lankford directed the preparation of a probation report and victim impact statements.
The case was adjourned until June to fix a date for its finalisation.
Butler will appear in court via video link on 3 June.
The case will then be further adjourned for a full hearing. He was further remanded in custody pending his next court appearance.
