Man charged with Mallow murder appears in Fermoy District Court

A 39‑year‑old man, Alfred Gjonaj of Cork, appeared before Fermoy District Court on Monday charged with the murder of Paul ‘Bosco’ O’Connor.

O’Connor, in his 50s and from the Ballyphehane area of Cork city, was found dead on the banks of the River Blackwater at Ballyellis, near Mallow, on 15 October at about 1.30 pm. He is believed to have been shot after travelling from Kent Train Station in Cork city to Mallow on the evening of 14 October.

Detective Garda Noelle McSweeney of Mallow Garda Station told the court that Gjonaj was arrested, cautioned and charged, but made no reply when questioned. His solicitor, David O’Meara of O’Meara & Sons Solicitors, Fermoy, will apply for legal aid.

The hearing was held in Fermoy because Mallow District Court is undergoing a year‑long restoration, with all sittings relocated to Fermoy since May. A relative of O’Connor sat in court beside a detective involved in the investigation.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was on the train between Kent and Mallow stations on the night of 14 October, or who saw O’Connor in Mallow between 7.20 pm that evening and 1.30 pm the following day, to contact them. They also seek information from anyone in the vicinity of the River Blackwater at Ballyellis, including road users with dash‑cam footage.

Gjonaj is due to appear again at Fermoy District Court tomorrow via video link.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Jay's Photography / Pexels.