LAST UPDATE | 15 Apr 2022
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE have attended vigils across the island of Ireland in memory of two men killed in Sligo.
Aidan Moffitt, 42, and Michael Snee, 58, were found dead in their own homes in the town on the west coast earlier in the week.
A man was remanded in custody at Sligo District Court yesterday after being charged with their murders.
Scenes at the vigil in Sligo town today were replicated all over the island, with more than 30 events organised in towns and cities on both sides of the border.
Many of the gatherings were organised by local LGBT groups.
Hundreds of people gathered in front of the Town Hall in Sligo to pay tribute to the men. Several speakers addressed the crowd, including the mayor of Sligo Arthur Gibbons.
Candles and flowers were laid on the steps of the building as the event, which was organised by Sligo Pride, drew to a close.
In Dublin, a large crowd assembled at the gates of the Dail parliament to hear speeches in tribute.
A choir sang as scores of rainbow flags were held aloft.
At the Belfast vigil there was a minute’s noise to symbolise a need for the voices of people in the LGBT community to be heard.
LGBT activist Jude Copeland told the crowd: “It’s a really horrible time but it’s one where our community can come together and care for each other and bits of solidarity and messages that we can share with each other.
So many of our community and allies in Dublin stand up with the victims of homophobic and transphobic violence and offer their condolences to the family and friends of both Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee pic.twitter.com/gW74oPfSkC
— Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride (@DublinPride) April 15, 2022
“It’s a really difficult time for lots of people in the LGBT community where people are isolated, vulnerable and in very difficult situations in their life and we really must remember that.”
Mr Moffitt was a prominent businessman and a Fine Gael activist while Mr Snee worked as a care assistant.
Both have been described as well respected and liked in the local community. Their funerals will be held on Monday.
We are shocked and devastated hearing about the latest attacks in Sligo, particularly given that the motivation behind the attacks is alleged to have been homophobic in nature. Our condolences go out to the friends and families of the victims.
— Sligo Pride (@sligopride) April 14, 2022
1/ pic.twitter.com/gQdzXSXLmU
Yousef Palani, 22, of Markievicz Heights, Sligo, appeared before a judge at Sligo District Court yesterday charged with murdering the men in their Sligo homes
He is charged with the murder of Mr Moffitt at Cartron Heights on April 10 and with the murder of Mr Snee at City View on April 12.
He was also charged with assaulting another man, Anthony Burke, causing serious harm in an incident at Cleveragh Road, Sligo on April 9.
Palani is to appear before the same court by video link on 21 April.
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