A 23-year-old man has been jailed for life for murdering two gay men in Sligo last year, reports RTE.
Yousef Palani, of Markiewicz Heights, Sligo, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for attacking a third man, who was blinded in one eye as a result of the attack.
The families of victims Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee have told the Central Criminal Court of the devastation and horror they have endured since Palani killed their loved ones in separate attacks on April 10 and 12, 2022.
Disturbing details emerged in court about the discovery of the bodies of the two by relatives and friends who became concerned after another, Anthony Burke, was blinded in one eye when he was stabbed by Palani just the day before.
The court heard Palani used a dating app to meet gay men who lived alone, with the intention of killing them, reports RTE.
He told gardaí that if he had not been stopped he would have continued killing.
Prosecutor Lorcan Staines said the attack was motivated by hostility and prejudice against gays.
Chief Superintendent Doyle said the crimes had a huge impact on the LGBTQI and Muslim communities.
He said Gardaí continued to support both the LGBTQI and Muslim communities in Sligo.
“The response from the people of Sligo at the time has continued and it is heartening to see such cross community support” he said, reports RTE.
Gardaí today said they would like to appeal to anyone who may be or has been a victim of any form of hate crime or harassment to contact their local police station or the Garda confidential telephone number 1800 666 111.
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