KILL CASE

Man, 29, accused of slashing lad in throat with broken bottle who later died in hospital is further remanded in custody

• Published: 18:49, 16 Aug 2023
• Updated: 18:49, 16 Aug 2023

A MAN accused of ­slashing a lad in the throat with a bottle was further remanded in ­custody today.

Aaron Babbington, 29, of Churchfield Avenue in Cork city, is accused of attacking Jason Butler, 32, on Cork’s Grand Parade after 7.30pm on June 14.

He appeared at Cork District Court on June 16 charged with assault causing harm to Mr ­Butler, of Castleredmond, Midleton in east Cork, 48 hours earlier.

However, Mr Butler died in hospital a few hours after that hearing.

Today at Cork District Court, Sgt Gearoid Davis applied for a further remand in custody in the case to facilitate the obtaining of DPP directions.

Judge John King remanded Babbington, who appeared in court today via video link, in custody until his next court appearance on August 30.

Solicitor Emma Leahy told the court that her client consented to being remanded in bail until later this month.

While the courts are closed for the month of August remand courts take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Previously, when Babbington was charged in connection with the offence in June gardai indicated that they they were objecting to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the charge and possible interference with witnesses in the case.

Det Garda Pat Russell gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He said that Babbington made no reply to the charge was put to him under caution.

Det Garda Russell alleged that Babbington had been seen by several people assaulting Mr Butler whilst the incident had also been caught on CCTV footage in the area.

He said: “I believe there is strong evidence that on June 14, 2023, at 7.38pm the injured party was in the company of the accused and his (Babbington’s) partner and that he was approached by the accused and stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle.”

DAYLIGHT ATTACK

He said that the incident happened “in broad daylight in an area with a large number of pedestrians present, including children”.

Det Garda Russell said that Babbington was a “danger to himself and other members of the public.”

Bail was refused in the case.