Gardaí launch murder investigation following death of young woman in Mallow

Funeral arrangements are being made for a mother of two who was found dead at her flat in Mallow on Friday morning following a stabbing incident.

A murder investigation has been launched after a postmortem examination on Paula Canty indicated that she died as a result of foul play.

Ms Canty was pronounced dead in an upper storey rented flat in the Belfry Complex in Bridewell Lane in Mallow on Friday morning.

The emergency services had been called to the scene by a man who had claimed that Ms Canty had self harmed. 

However, a postmortem examination carried out on Saturday at Cork University Hospital revealed that she had sustained a stab wound to her chest. 

It was determined that her passing did not occur as a result of self inflicted injuries.

The postmortem examination was conducted by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, who had also carried out a preliminary examination of the scene. The flat was also technically examined by gardaí.

Ms Canty was a native of Kinsale in Co Cork who had lived in Mallow for a period of less than a year. 

She was due to celebrate her 32nd birthday tomorrow. 

PERSONS OF INTEREST

It is understood that two persons have already been identified as being of interest to gardaí. 

A second property in the town is also being technically examined by gardaí. Gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry.

They are continuing to harvest CCTV from the area in a bid to further their investigation. House to house inquiries are also being carried out.

A death notice on Rip.ie states that Paula is survived by her mother Sinead, her children Alyisha and Aoibhe and her siblings Darragh, Donna, Latoya, David and Rianna.

Paula is “sadly missed” by her “heartbroken” mother, children, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, relatives and her large circle of friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

A Garda spokesperson said this morning: "Gardaí in Mallow are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in her 30s, who was found at a residential property on Bridewell Lane, Mallow, Co. Cork on Friday, 3rd January, 2025.

A post-mortem 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.

Following the post-mortem, An Garda Síochána has now commenced a murder investigation.

An examination of the scene by the Garda Technical Bureau is continuing.

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 the family.

"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 between 9pm on Thursday 2nd January and Friday 3rd 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."