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Murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee

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Murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee
Snee (left) and Moffitt (right)
Date11–12 April 2022
LocationSligo, Ireland
MotiveHostility and prejudice towards homosexual men
TargetAidan Moffitt
Michael Snee
Anthony Burke
Deaths2
Non-fatal injuries1
ConvictedYousef Palani
SentenceLife imprisonment

In April 2022, Aidan Moffitt (aged 42) and Michael Snee (aged 58) were found murdered in their own homes in Sligo, Ireland, in the space of 24 hours.[1] Both men were found with serious physical injuries due to a physical assault, around 1 km apart in the town.

Separate murder investigations into their deaths were conducted, with Gardaí probing links to a serial killer.[2] Yousef Palani, who is Muslim and of Iraqi descent, was arrested on 12 April, and was charged with the murders the following day.[3] On 23 October 2023, Palani was sentenced to life in prison for the murders and also received a 20-year sentence for assaulting a third man, who lost the sight of one eye as a result of the attack.

Investigation

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Aidan Moffitt, 42 years of age, was found badly mutilated at his semi-detached home in Cartron Heights estate on the northern outskirts of Sligo town at 8:30 p.m. on Monday 11 April. He was last seen socialising the night before.[4] Originally from Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon, he was a well-known local auctioneer and Fine Gael activist.[5]

At approximately 10:30 p.m. the next night, Gardaí were called to an apartment at Connaughton Road in Sligo, where a second man, 58-year-old Michael Snee was discovered dead with significant physical injuries. At about 1:45 a.m., following what was described as "intense local Garda activity and inquiries", Sligo Gardaí, assisted by the Armed Support Unit, arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of murder.[6] Snee was a retired healthcare worker, who had impaired vision in one eye.[7]

Gardaí were examining whether there was a homophobic motive for the killings and whether they were the work of a potential serial killer, who was targeting men on dating apps.[8] This prompted Gardaí to issue advice to the public, urging people to take necessary precautions before meeting people online.[9][10]

Gardaí were also investigating whether the killings were linked to a stabbing attack of another man in his 40s, Anthony Burke, in Sligo town which saw the victim lose an eye on Saturday 9 April.[11] They believed that the killings may not have been the perpetrator's first attempts at violent assaults and may have searched for other victims.[12]

Accused: Charge & Guilty Plea

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On 14 April, a 22-year-old man, Yousef Palani, was charged with the two murders and was also charged with the assault of a third man, arising out of an incident on 9 April.[13] That afternoon, he was brought before a special sitting of Sligo District Court and was heckled and shouted at by a large crowd who had gathered outside the courthouse.[14] Palani was put on suicide watch by the Prison Service and was remanded in custody at Castlerea Prison to appear again at Sligo District Court on 21 April via video link.[15] He was subsequently remanded in custody again until 12 May.[16]

On 31 July 2023, Palani pleaded guilty to murdering the two men and intentionally causing harm to another. He was due to go on trial on 13 November, but was instead sentenced on 23 October when victim impact evidence was also heard.[17]

Sentence

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On 23 October 2023, Palani was sentenced to life in prison for the murders and also received a 20-year sentence for assaulting a third man, who lost the sight of one eye as a result of the attack. The court heard that the attacks were motivated by hostility and prejudice towards homosexual men and that Palani had used a dating app to meet gay men who lived alone with the intention of killing them.[18][19]

The court heard that the first murder victim, Aidan Moffitt, had been decapitated in his home, with his head placed on a bed. He had also suffered 42 stab wounds. Gardaí noted that his two hands were tied behind his back and a yellow bottle of bleach was left beside his head, while a knife with a serrated blade had been placed into Moffitt's right hand. The second murder victim, Michael Snee, was also found tied up on the floor of his own bedroom, while a hunting knife and a black coloured knife had been laid on the bed to make the shape of a cross. There were 38 sharp force injuries to Snee's body and he had been stabbed 25 times mainly to the head, neck, and chest.[20]

Reactions

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On 13 April 2022, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee described the murders as "atrocious crimes" and said she wanted to reassure people and the LGBT community that any crimes motivated by hate or prejudice would not be tolerated and would carry higher sentences.[21]

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was "deeply concerned" and urged anyone with any information to contact Gardaí.[22] Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said he was "shocked" and "worried" by the two deaths.[23]

Members of the LGBT community in Ireland said they felt "deeply distressed and concerned" following the attacks, while LGBT Ireland said it was "shocked" and "deeply saddened" by the "heinous crimes" perpetrated in Sligo and called on the Government to urgently enact hate crime laws.[24][25]

Towns, villages and communities across Ireland gathered to pay tribute to the memory of Moffitt and Snee in the days after their deaths,[26] with vigils taking place in Sligo, Dublin, Limerick, Waterford, Wexford, Galway, Belfast, Cork, Kilkenny, Louth and Tipperary.[27][28][29][30]

References

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  1. ^ Ní Aodha, Gráinne; O'Connor, Niall; MacNamee, Garreth; Duffy, Rónán; McNally, Tadgh (13 April 2022). "Sligo deaths: Murder investigations underway after bodies of two men discovered in space of 24 hours". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  2. ^ Foy, Ken; Murray, Eavan; Mulgrew, Seoirse (13 April 2022). "Sligo murders: Gardaí probe links to serial killer, as second man found dead is named and pictured". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  3. ^ Murray, Eavan (14 April 2022). "Yousef Palani (22) remanded in custody after being charged with the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  4. ^ Gallagher, Conor; McDonagh, Marese (12 April 2022). "Possible hate motive investigated as badly mutilated body of man found at his home in Sligo". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  5. ^ McGrath, Pat (13 April 2022). "Two separate murder investigations in Co Sligo". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  6. ^ Heaney, Steven; Crowley, Sorcha; Clarke, Vivienne (13 April 2022). "Gardaí investigating whether there was hate-related motive in Sligo murders". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  7. ^ McGlynn, Michelle; Crowley, Sorcha (14 April 2022). "Sligo killings: Vigils planned in memory of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  8. ^ Gallagher, Conor (13 April 2022). "Sligo murders: Gardaí believe two men killed by man they met on dating app". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Safety Advice for Meeting People Online". Garda Síochána. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Gardaí urge online daters to let people know where you are". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 13 April 2022. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  11. ^ Quinn, Trevor (13 April 2022). "Young man found mutilated in his Sligo home 'may have been dead for a day'". Irish Mirror. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  12. ^ Crowley, Sorcha (14 April 2022). "Sligo killings: Gardaí fear suspect may have searched for other victims". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  13. ^ McDonagh, Marese (14 April 2022). "Yousef Palani (22) charged with murders of two men in Sligo". The Irish Times. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  14. ^ McGrath, Pat (14 April 2022). "Man charged with murders of two men in Co Sligo". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  15. ^ Crowley, Sorcha (14 April 2022). "Man accused of murdering two men in Sligo put on suicide watch". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  16. ^ McDonagh, Marese (21 April 2022). "Man charged with murders of two men in Sligo remanded in custody". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  17. ^ O'Donnell, Orla (31 July 2023). "Man admits murders of two men and harming third in Sligo". RTÉ News. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  18. ^ Traynor, Vivienne (23 October 2023). "Palani jailed for life for murder of two gay men in Sligo". RTÉ News. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  19. ^ Murray, Eavan (23 October 2023). "'Lost in grief and forever heartbroken' – families of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee react as double murderer Yousef Palani jailed for life". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  20. ^ O'Riordan, Alison (23 October 2023). "Serial killer driven by hatred of gay men jailed for life". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  21. ^ Molony, Senan; Hyland, Paul (13 April 2022). "Sligo murders: Justice Minister Helen McEntee reassures LGBT community and says new laws will fight hate crime". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  22. ^ "Gardaí confirm two murder investigations under way in Sligo; Taoiseach Micheál Martin 'deeply concerned'". EchoLive.ie. 13 April 2022. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  23. ^ Carr, Hugh (13 April 2022). "Tánaiste "shocked" and "worried" following brutal murders in Sligo". JOE.ie. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  24. ^ "LGBT Ireland Statement Following the Death of Two Men in Co. Sligo". LGBT Ireland. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  25. ^ Mulgrew, Seoirse (13 April 2022). "Sligo murders: LGBTQ+ community 'deeply distressed and concerned' following recent attacks". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  26. ^ Moloney, Eoghan (14 April 2022). "Sligo murders: Vigils for Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee to take place nationwide". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  27. ^ Brayden, Kate (14 April 2022). "Vigils to be held nationwide in memory of Sligo's Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt". Hot Press. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  28. ^ Watkins, Frances (13 April 2022). "Vigil to be held in Limerick for murdered Sligo men". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  29. ^ Malone, Michael (14 April 2022). "Vigil in Galway to remember Sligo murder victims". Galway Daily. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  30. ^ Rountree, Sara (14 April 2022). "Vigil planned in Cork City in memory of tragic Sligo murder victims". Cork Beo. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
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