Man appears in court charged with Cork murder

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Mallow two weeks ago.

Paul 'Bosco' O'Connor was found dead on the banks of the River Blackwater at Ballyellos, near Mallow, river bank outside Mallow town on October 15 at around 1.30pm.

Alfred Gjonaj, aged 39, with an address in Cork, was brought before Fermoy District Court just before 2pm on Monday.

He appeared before Judge John King.

Detective Garda Noelle McSweeney of Mallow Garda Station told the court that, after being arrested, cautioned and charged, Mr Gjonaj made no reply.

His solicitor David O’Meara, of O'Meara & Sons Solicitors, Fermoy, is to apply for legal aid.

A relative of Mr O’Connor was in court for the hearing, sitting beside a detective involved in the case.

Mr Gjonaj is next to appear at Fermoy District Court tomorrow for a hearing in which he will appear via video link.

Mr O'Connor, who was in his 50s and was from the Ballyphehane area of Cork city, is understood to have been shot.

He is also believed to have travelled from Kent Train Station in Cork city to Mallow on Wednesday, October 14 for around 7.20pm.

The area where Mr O'Connor's body was found is close to a wastewater treatment plant and is described by locals as a spot popular with dog walkers and families.

The hearing was held in Fermoy because, since May, Mallow District Court has been undergoing a year-long period of restoration, during which all its district court sittings and office administration have been located in Fermoy.

Investigating gardaí are continuing to appeal to anyone who was on the train between Kent and Mallow stations that evening, or who may have seen Mr O’Connor in Mallow between 7.20pm on October 14 and 1.30pm the following day, to come forward.

Gardaí also want to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of the River Blackwater at Ballyellis during that period.

Road users and pedestrians who were in the area and who may have camera footage, including dashcam recordings, are also being asked to make it available to investigators.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mallow Garda Station on (022) 31450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.