Eight-year jail term for man who pleaded guilty to attempted murder in Cork 

An entirely unprovoked attack with a broken bottle on a young man at seven o’clock in the evening in the centre of Cork city where the victim died two days later resulted in the attacker being jailed today for eight years.

Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford imposed a sentence of 10 years with the last two years suspended on Aaron Babbington at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

The judge noted that the family of the late Jason Butler, 32, did not want their victim impact statement read in open court. Ms Justice Lankford said she respected that and would not disclose what was said but commented: 

“It is moving and very impressive. Jason Butler was a much loved brother who may have had difficulties but he had family support and family love.” 

Ms Justice Lankford said it was entirely unprovoked, sudden and happened in front of passers-by, one of whom intervened to prevent the attack going any further and disarmed Aaron Babbington of the broken bottle.

One of the aggravating factors in the case was the fact that the accused tried nine times to smash the vodka bottle against a wall before succeeding in breaking it on a concrete bench and pressing it into Mr Butler’s neck. 

The Probation Service described him as a very high risk of reoffending but said it would work with him on his release from prison and this could be effective if he maintained sobriety, stability and the progress which he said he intended to maintain.

The judge said the plea of guilty to attempted murder was of real benefit to the prosecution because of the difficulty in relation to causation of death in the case. 

“He has shown some insight into the huge hurt he has caused and that he has taken a human life. He wishes to refrain from the use of drink and drugs in the future,” she said.

Tom Creed, senior counsel, said: “Aaron Babbington apologises to Jason Butler’s family, while that will be little solace to them.”

While Babbington had faced the prospect of a murder trial he later pleaded guilty instead to a charge of attempted murder in the same case.

Detective Sergeant Colin Greenway outlined the background circumstances in the case against Aaron Babbington, formerly of Churchfield Avenue, Churchfield, Cork, on the charge of the attempted murder of Jason Butler on June 14, 2023 at Grand Parade, Cork, contrary to Common Law. He died in hospital two days later.

On June 14, 2023, Jason Butler met Aaron Babbington and his girlfriend by chance by Centra on Grand Parade at about 7pm. An eyewitness working in the shop said they were in good spirits exchanging banter with each other.

The three of them were sharing a one litre bottle of vodka and sat down together on a concrete bench at Daunt Square and continued to drink, appearing to be in good form.

“However, in the following 40 minutes Mr Babbington became frustrated and angry at the attention his girlfriend was paying to Jason Butler – attention that was not reciprocated in any way.

“An eyewitness passing by heard Aaron Babbington saying he was going to stab him and making the comment, either, ‘you are going to die’ or ‘you are dead’.

“After these threats he hit his girlfriend twice in the face and kicked Jason Butler in the head.

“He picked up the bottle of vodka, drank its remaining contents, held it by the neck and attempted to smash it against the Argos building. He made nine unsuccessful attempts.

“His girlfriend and Jason Butler got up to try to escape. Unfortunately, Mr Butler fell to the ground and was unable to regain his feet and was helpless on the ground when Aaron Babbington returned and smashed the bottle off the concrete bench.

“He then turned to Jason Butler and with the sharp broken bottle he bent over him, wrapped his arm around his neck and pressed the bottle into his neck,” Det Garda Greenway said.

Armed gardaí who first arrived on the scene gave the victim medical assistance as did a doctor and nurse in the area at the time, before the arrival of ambulance paramedics. 

Mr Butler died two days later in the intensive care unit of Cork University Hospital.

Defence senior counsel Mr Creed said both of the defendant’s parents had addiction issues and that the young man ended up homeless, having had little chance in terms of background.