Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1864Attempted murder · Co. Cork · 14 Jun 2023

Aaron Babbington jailed for eight years for attempted murder of Jason Butler in Cork

Aaron Babbington, a 31-year-old man of no fixed abode, slashed the throat of 32-year-old man Jason Butler with a vodka bottle on 14 June 2023 at Daunt Square, Grand Parade, Cork city, after hitting his girlfriend twice in the face and kicking Butler in the head. Butler died at Cork University Hospital two days later. Babbington, who has 143 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to attempted murder at Cork Central Criminal Court. In April 2025, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford sentenced him to 10 years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced11 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Babbington hit his girlfriend twice in the face, kicked Butler in the head, and slashed Butler's throat with a vodka bottle.
Where
The incident took place at Daunt Square, Grand Parade, Cork city.
When
The incident occurred on 14 June 2023 at about 7pm.
Cause
Babbington became frustrated and angry at the attention his girlfriend was paying Butler.
Weapon
A vodka bottle that Babbington had tried to smash against the Argos building nine times before using it on Butler.
Investigation
CCTV footage and testimony from Det Sgt Colin Greenway were presented in court.
Charges
Babbington pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Jason Butler.
In court
The case was heard at Cork Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford.
Sentence
Babbington was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended.
Other details
  • Butler died at Cork University Hospital two days after the incident.
  • Babbington has 143 previous convictions, mainly for drug possession and public disorder offences.
  • A victim impact statement was handed into court on behalf of the Butler family but was not read out.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBabbington hit his girlfriend twice in the face and then slashed the throat of a 32-year-old man (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAaron Babbington is 31 and of no fixed abode (irishtimes.com)
  • whatButler died at Cork University Hospital two days after the incident (irishtimes.com)
  • whatButler was predeceased by his parents and three of his six siblings (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe trio were sharing a bottle of vodka (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBabbington hit his girlfriend twice in the face and kicked Butler in the head (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBabbington picked up the vodka bottle, drank its remaining contents, and attempted to smash it against the Argos building nine times unsuccessfully (irishtimes.com)
  • whatButler fell to the ground and was unable to regain his feet (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBabbington hailed from a dysfunctional family background and wanted to address his addiction issues (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBabbington has 143 previous convictions mainly for drug possession and public disorder offences (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident took place at Grand Parade in Cork city (irishtimes.com)
  • whereButler was from Castleredmond in Midleton, Co Cork (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThey sat down together on a bench at nearby Daunt Square (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 14 June 2023 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe three met by a shop on Grand Parade at about 7pm (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBabbington pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Jason Butler (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA victim impact statement was handed into court on behalf of the Butler family but was not read out (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBabbington apologised to the Butler family via his barrister Tom Creed (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Cork Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceBabbington was jailed for 10 years with the last two years suspended (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Apr2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man guilty of attempted murder after slashing throat with smashed vodka bottle

    Sentencing report detailing the 10-year sentence (two years suspended), the 143 previous convictions, the CCTV evidence, and the victim impact statement from the Butler family.

    victim, Jason Butler, 32, male, irish (judged from name)Jason Butlerconvicted, Aaron Babbington, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Babbington