Ireland - Aidan Moffitt, 30s, found dead with 'significant injuries' at home, Sligo, 11 April 2022

[Mo Thuairim]

Gardaí examine if Sligo killing had hate-related motive

By Pat McGrath
Western Correspondent

A murder inquiry is under way in Co Sligo after a man was found with "significant physical injuries" in the town yesterday evening.

The victim has been named locally as Aidan Moffitt, who was in his 30s and well-known in local business circles.

It is understood Mr Moffitt’s body had been mutilated.

Gardaí are investigating if there was a hate-related motive to the killing and whether Mr Moffitt met his attacker online.

Officers were called to his home in Cartron Heights at around 8.30pm last night.

They were alerted by friends of Mr Moffitt, who became concerned when they were unable to make contact with him.

The scene was preserved overnight and was subject to detailed forensic analysis throughout the day.

This evening, his body was brought to University Hospital Sligo where a post-mortem examination will take place.

(...)

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in Cartron Heights or the general Cartron area yesterday afternoon up until 8.30pm, and who saw anything which drew their attention, to come forward.

Gardaí can be contacted at a dedicated phone number at the incident room in Sligo Garda Station on 071 9157088, on the Garda Confidential Line phone number on 1800 666 111, or at any garda station.

As part of their appeal gardaí also issued safety advice for people intending to meet others online.

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Sligo killing: Gardai say PM results will determine course of investigation - Ocean FM

Gardai say the results of a post mortem examination on the body of a man found dead yesterday evening in a house on the outskirts of Sligo town will determine the course of their investigation.

He has been named as Aidan Moffitt, a financial planner and/auctioneer/valuer originally from Lisacul, near Ballaghadereen in Co Roscommon, who was well known in the Sligo area, particularly in Fine Gael political circles.

The scene, at the entrance to the Cartron Heights estate, remains cordoned off with Gardai on duty to preserve the scene.

At about half past eight yesterday evening, gardai were alerted to the discovery of the body of the man in a house in the Cartron area.

Although gardai say the circumstances of the discovery are ‘unexplained,’ they add that the results of a post-mortem examination will determine the course of their investigation.

It is understood the man sustained catastrophic injuries during what is believed to have been a violent attack.

Members of the Garda Technical Bureau have been conducting an examination of the scene and the services of the Office of the State Pathologist have been requested.

The mayor of Sligo, Cllr. Arthur Gibbons, lives in the area.

He says people in a peaceful, quiet area, like Cartron, never expect to hear this news in their locality.

(...)

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Possible hate motive investigated as badly mutilated body of man found at his home in Sligo

Gardaí in Sligo have begun a murder investigation following the discovery of the badly mutilated body of Fine Gael activist Aidan Moffitt at his home.

Gardaí said they are “are actively investigating as to whether there is any hate related motive” to the murder. They are also investigating whether Mr Moffitt met his killer online.

Mr Moffitt (41), who worked in the property sector and was a peace commissioner for his local area, was found by a cleaner in his home in Cartron Heights, Sligo at about 8.30pm on Monday evening.

There were clear signs he died violently and his body showed evidence of extremely serious injuries.

His body was removed from the scene to University Hospital Sligo late on Tuesday afternoon. Gardaí are currently describing his death as “unexplained” while they await the results of a postmortem by the State Pathologist.

Mr Moffitt was a single man who lived on his own in the house, which is located just outside Sligo Town.

He was last seen in public on Sunday afternoon in the Village Inn Pub in Cartron and was last seen online by friends shortly afterwards.

Gardaí suspect the attack occurred sometime on Sunday evening and that his body remained undiscovered for about 24 hours.

There was no sign of a break-in and investigators believe Mr Moffitt likely allowed his assailant into his home before the attack.

One angle of investigation is likely to focus on if Mr Moffitt met a person on a dating app before letting them into his home.

Garda sources said the victim’s home is equipped with a strong security system, with a large fence and CCTV.

(...)

 

[Ironside]

I’m thinking this was perhaps some sort of Stefano Brizzi type situation.

 

[Thelastleg]

Sligo: Man arrested on suspicion of murder
Sligo-Second murder investigation underway
Sorry if I haven't attached the link correctly

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Two separate murder investigations in Co Sligo

Gardaí have announced separate murder investigations into the deaths of two men in Co Sligo.

In a press briefing this morning, gardaí said that Michael Snee, 58, and Aidan Moffitt, 42, had been "assaulted and murdered in their own homes".

Garda Superintendent Aidan Glacken said: "Michael and Aidan were well known and respected in this community.

"They were assaulted and murdered in their own homes. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this time and indeed their friends and the wider community in Sligo."

Gardaí said they are keeping an open mind in relation to the investigation.

They are investigating if there is any hate-related motive and also whether the victims had met their attacker online.

"Meeting people online should be a safe activity. But as with any online activity, everybody should be aware of personal safety advice".

Another recent incident in the Sligo area is also being investigated.

Garda Supt Glacken added: "I am appealing to any person who may have been subject of any unwanted approaches or who was assaulted or otherwise attacked to contact the incident room at Sligo Garda Station. I have a dedicated diversity team here, we need to hear from you, we are here to listen to you and we are here to support you."

He thanked the community for their assistance so far, saying it was heartening to see such cross community support. And he also appealed again to the public for their assistance.

Michael Snee found dead at home in City View

The body of Michael Snee was found at a house off Connaughton Road in Sligo town at 10.30pm last night.

It is understood that relatives had found his body at his terraced house in the City View estate. He had sustained significant physical injuries.

The scene was preserved overnight and a forensic examination is under way. The body has been removed from the scene for a post-mortem examination.

In a follow-up operation following the discovery, local gardaí, backed by the armed support unit, arrested a man in his early 20s on suspicion of murder.

(...)

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Sligo: Man arrested on suspicion of murder
Sligo-Second murder investigation underway
Sorry if I haven't attached the link correctly

Additional info from your link:

Gardaí said they were keeping an open mind and were trying to find out if both men met their attackers online.

They also said that detectives are also examining a third incident at Cleveragh Road in Sligo in the early hours of Saturday, in which a man in his 40s was seriously assaulted.

(...)

In the third incident, detectives are investigating a serious assault on a man in his 40s, who was discovered with injuries.

Gardai said he was taken to Sligo University Hospital for treatment and the man's injures are not life-threatening.

The officer appealed to anyone who had been the victim of assault or the subject of "unwanted approaches" to contact the investigation team.

(...)

Sligo murders: Hate motive investigated in two killings

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Sligo murders: Gardaí probe whether potential serial killer linked up with murdered men on dating app

• Man (20s) held after body found in Sligo apartment
• Gardaí understood to be probing link to murder of Aidan Moffitt and earlier attack on another man
• Officers investigating whether the victims met their attacker online
• Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says is shocked by killings
• Justice Minister Helen McEntee reassures LGBT community and says new laws will fight hate crime

The second man murdered in Sligo has been named as 58-year-old Michael Snee.

Garda superintendent Aidan Glacken told a press conference in Sligo town: "Michael had been subject of a serious physical assault and had suffered significant injuries."

Gardaí are probing links to a serial killer after Mr Snee's body, with very serious injuries, was found in his apartment on Connaughton Street in the town.

It is the second murder of a man in Sligo town in two days, after local Fine Gael activist Aidan Moffitt was also found dead and seriously mutilated in his home.

Officers including members of the Emergency Response Unit arrested a man in his early 20s on suspicion of murder after what was described as an intense operation in the early hours of Wednesday.

It is understood the 22-year old murder suspect has no precious convictions and was not known to officers for involvement in extremist or any other type of crime before this happened.

It is understood gardaí are working on the basis the two killings are linked, and also related to a separate attack last week in which another man was seriously injured.

Officers are understood to be investigating whether the killings were the work of a potential serial killer who was targeting men on dating apps.

(...)

Gardaí believe (Aidan Moffitt) was the victim of a hate crime motivated by homophobia.

(...)

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Shock, sadness and disbelief in Sligo over suspected hate crime murders

SLIGO TOWN WAS in a state of disbelief today following the discovery of the bodies of two men in the space of 24 hours.

Michael Snee (58) and Aidan Moffitt (42) were murdered in a horrific fashion. They suffered extremely violent deaths at the hands of their attacker. Two separate murder investigations are currently underway into their deaths.

(...)

An attack in Sligo town last weekend where a man was stabbed and lost an eye is being investigated by gardaí to see if it is potentially connected to the murders.

The incidents have served as a stark reminder that bigotry does not cease to exist simply because of the passage of time.

(...)

Uniformed and plain-clothes gardaí walked the beat this afternoon in Sligo town, knocking on doors near where both men were killed.

Local bars and cafes were also visited by gardaí who are now trying to establish why the men died.

The main theory being worked on is that both Mr Snee and Mr Moffitt were killed in a hate crime related to their sexuality. Officers are working on the possibility that they were killed by someone they met through the internet.

(...)

Local LGBTQ+ group Sligo Pride called on its members to take additional care following the violent deaths of the two well-respected men in the area.

(...)

In a statement it urged members of its community to take extra precautions, especially if attending events this weekend. “If at all possible, do not walk home alone. If you cannot afford a taxi, please let a friend know when you have left a venue and when you’ve gotten home.

"If you are meeting someone online in person for the first time, give a trusted friend as much information on this other person as you can and let your friend know where you are."

It said it is looking into security for its upcoming Rainbow Ball as a precaution.

LGBT Ireland said it is shocked by the “heinous crimes” perpetrated in Sligo.

Paula Fagan, CEO of LGBT Ireland, said it has been a dark week for the LGBTI+ community in Ireland.

"We are still reeling from the vicious homophobic assault on Dame Street in Dublin in recent days and, now, we are deeply saddened by events in Sligo. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.

“These devastating crimes bring to the fore the need for comprehensive Hate Crime legislation, and I – along with other sectoral representatives – will be speaking with lawmakers over the coming days to stress the need for them to redouble their efforts and ensure the forthcoming legislation is effective, comprehensive and enacted with urgency. The LGBTI+ community has the right to feel and be safe on our streets, and online.”

(...)

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Gardaí investigate homophobic element to Sligo murders

Gardaí in Sligo are following a definite line of inquiry into the murders of Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt, as well as a third non-fatal attack that took place in the town on Saturday night.

A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is being questioned at Sligo Garda Station in relation to all three attacks.

The gardaí have set up two separate murder investigations, even though they are looking at the overall picture.

The reasons why they have two separate investigations is not only because of the workload, but they also want to avoid any potential for cross-contamination

There is a separate senior investigating officer in charge of each investigation team, but the more senior officer of the two will be coordinating the information that comes into both incident rooms in relation to the two murders to uncover the overall picture.

Gardaí are also investigating an assault on a man outside a bar in Sligo that took place on Saturday night, which resulted in serious injuries.

The similarities between the three cases include the fact that all the victims were male, all the victims appear to have been targeted, and all sustained serious injuries as a result of a stabbing, two of which were fatal.

(...)

 

[Dotta]

Irish police probe hate-related motive after arresting man in 20s over violent deaths of two men | Daily Mail Online

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Man charged over murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee

A MAN in his twenties has been charged with the fatal assault of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee.

He will appear before Sligo District Court this afternoon at 4.45pm.

 

[realanastasia]

Suspect in 'homophobic' Sligo murders was 'praying' when lifted by Gardai

 

[Ched]

Yousef Palani age 22 Yousef Palani (22) charged with murders of two men in Sligo

 

[Ched]

Mr Palani was remanded in custody and will appear in court again by video link on 21 April.

The court was told he made no reply to the assault charge and said he understood the two murder charges when they were put to him.

A defence lawyer requested he be put on suicide watch by the prison service and that he be given an urgent psychiatric assessment.
Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt killings: Man charged with Sligo murders

address was given as Markievicz Heights, Sligo

 

[Ched]

I missed the start of this ordeal . Was the man who assaulted first victim the police had ? And then after that he went on to do the 2 murders ? Sligo suspect ‘planned to kill more men in the coming days’ | Ireland | The Times

 

[Ched]

Beheaded . Gardai hunt for killer of Aidan Moffitt | Ireland | The Times

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Beheaded .

This is horrifying.

 

[Ched]

He has also been charged with an assault on Anthony Burke in Sligo https://twitter.com/paulquinnnews/status/1514637049634164740?s=21&t=YDqWVB4zga0PZJTT0Odytg

 

[Ched]

He is charged with murdering Aidan Moffitt on April 10th last at No 4 Cartron Heights, Sligo; murdering Michael Snee on April 12th at No 24 City View Apartments, Connaughton Road, Sligo; and with recklessly causing serious harm to Anthony Burke on April 9th last at Cleveragh, Sligo.

BREAKING NEWS: Man appears in Sligo court on two murder charges, causing serious harm to another - Ocean FM