The body of Mary O'Keeffe was discovered in a burning car on the 4th of February last year when a passer-by spotted the car on fire near a wooded area.
63 year old Michael Leonard of Hillcrest, Glenosheen, Kilmallock in county Limerick appeared at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin today for a brief arraignment.
He responded "guilty" to the charge that he murdered Mary O'Keeffe at Doneraile Co Cork on February 4th last year.
The court did not hear any evidence regarding the case as Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned sentencing until December 14th.
Mary O'Keeffe's family will have an opportunity to make an impact statement on the day.
At a bail hearing last year, Mr Justice Robert Eager said the mother of three from Dromahane near Mallow had suffered an "appalling death" and remanded the accused in custody.
