LAST UPDATE | 13 Apr 2022
TWO SEPARATE MURDER investigations are currently underway in Sligo following the deaths of two men in separate incidents in a 24-hour period.
A 58-year-old man, Michael Snee, was found dead in his home in Sligo town last night, while Aidan Moffitt, 42, was found dead on Monday night.
Both men had suffered serious physical injuries due to a physical assault.
Speaking to the media this morning, Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken, Sligo Garda Station said that both Michael and Aidan were respected within the community.
“Michael and Aidan were well known and respected in this community. They were assaulted and murdered in their own homes,” said Glacken.
Glacken said that both scenes have been sealed off by Garda investigators and that the Garda Technical Bureau are conducting a “detailed forensic investigation of each scene”.
At approximately 1.45am this morning, following “intense” local Garda enquiries, a man aged in his early 20s was arrested in Sligo town on suspicion of the murder of Michael Snee.
The arrest was made by the Armed Support Unit, who surrounded the building and used a loud hailer to call the occupants out one by one, it is understood.
The man is currently detained under the provision of Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Sligo Garda Station.
Gardaí are investigating whether there is a hate-related motive to the murders and whether Aidan or Michael met their attacker online.
Officers are investigating whether the two deaths are linked as it is understood that the injuries both victims suffered were similar in nature.
Gardaí are also investigating any potential link to a non-fatal attack in the town last weekend where a man was stabbed and lost an eye.
Advice has been issued by Gardaí to the public about speaking with someone they had met online, advising them to ask for a picture or a video call from the person they intend to meet, to meet in a public place first and to let your friends know where you’re going.
Glacken said that there are “substantial” Garda resources being dedicated to the two investigations with additional supports from both Regional and National units.
“A Senior Investigating Officer is in charge of each investigation supported by an incident room. Substantial Garda resources are dedicated to these investigations with further support from Regional and National Units,” Glacken said.
One post-mortem has been carried out at University Hospital Sligo, with a second post-mortem set to be carried out later today.
Political reaction
Members of the Government and the local community have expressed their shock at the violent deaths.
Speaking to reporters after Cabinet this morning, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that Sligo was coming to terms with what has happened in recent days.
“I just firstly want to offer my sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Aiden Moffit and indeed to the man that was killed last night,” said McEntee, who was speaking before authorities confirmed the name of the second man.
“These really were atrocious crimes and I just want people to know that we are there for them, we are there for the community, but also An Garda Siochana is there for the community.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee says community in Sligo is coming to terms with two 'atrocious crimes' pic.twitter.com/FF0LMNUzAw
— Rónán Duffy (@ronanduffy_) April 13, 2022
“I spoke to the Garda Commissioner this morning, and he has assured me that every effort is being made to make sure that whoever or whomever is responsible for these crimes they are brought to justice.”
She added that it had been a difficult week for the LGBT community in Ireland, saying that there had been several incidents that have been shocking and distressing for people.
Yesterday, Gardaí announced that they were investigating a suspected homophobic attack on a man in his 20s in Dublin, which left him in St James’ Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“There have been a number of incidents which I think have upset and been distressing for people.
These are incidents we thought were behind us. I just want to remind people that any crimes that are motivated by hate, by prejudice or discrimination will not be tolerated, will carry higher sentences, and I hope to introduce the hate crime bill in a matter of weeks to respond.
Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy and Sligo-Leitrim TD Frank Feighan said that Aidan was “the life and soul of the party”, loved horse racing, and that “everyone who knew him liked him”.
The community are stunned and shocked at the level of horrific events over the last number of days. I hope that whoever did this will be brought to justice and I understand Gardaí have made significant progress. There’s a level of fear in Sligo last night, there’s a level of fear in the community at the horrific events.
Aiden Moffitt in happier times. May he rest in peace @rtenews @OceanFmIreland @shannonsidenews @Independent_ie @irishexaminer @IrishTimes @NewstalkFM @FineGael @SligoChampion @RoscommonHerald pic.twitter.com/YKhoBo8cuv
— Frank Feighan T.D. (@FrankFeighan) April 13, 2022
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told reporters while on his way into Cabinet this morning that he was “shocked and worried” at the deaths.
“What happened is unspeakable and hard to fathom,” Varadkar said on Twitter, adding that he was ”concerned about the possible motive” for the attacks.
Speaking before details of the second man were announced by Gardaí, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that he was “deeply concerned” over the reports of the deaths in Sligo.
“I urge anyone with any information to contact Gardaí,” he said.
Tributes
Tributes have been paid to Aidan, who has been described as someone who “lit up the world” and who was kind and caring.
Speaking to Morning Ireland today, his close friend Blaine Gaffney said that how he was killed was “very hard to believe”.
Gaffney said his friend was a “positive person” who he wanted to be remembered for who he was and not what happened to him.
“He was very intelligent, very honest and very caring individual,” said Gaffney
“He was a good guy and very dignified, and what happened wasn’t dignified and it’s just, just horrific.”
Gardaí in Sligo are appealing for anybody with information on either of these two incidents to come forward.
Investigating Gardaí can be contacted at a dedicated phone number at the incident room in Sligo Garda Station at 071 9157088, the Garda Confidential Line phone number 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
With reporting from Niall O’Connor, Garreth MacNamee, Rónán Duffy, Gráinne Ní Aodha and Press Association.
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