Gardai probe possible hate crime motive in murders of two men in Sligo

Gardai say they are investigating if there is a hate-related motive to the murder of two men in Sligo in the last two days.

In a press briefing today, Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken, Sligo Garda Station also confirmed that Gardai are investigating if the victim in each case met their attacker online

Chief Supt Glacken said that on Tuesday, April 12, at approximately 10.30pm Gardaí from Sligo Garda Station attended at a private residence at Connaughton Road, Sligo, following the receipt of a 999 call.

There Gardaí discovered the body of Michael Snee, 58 years.  Michael had been subject of a serious physical assault and had suffered significant injuries.

Previously on Monday, April 11, at approximately 8.30pm Gardaí from Sligo Garda Station attended at a private residence at Cartron Heights, Sligo, following a call from the public.

There Gardaí discovered the body of Aidan Moffitt, 42 years. Aidan had also been the subject of a serious physical assault and had suffered significant injuries.

Chief Supt 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.”

Family Liaison Officers have been provided to both Michael and Aidan’s families and An Garda Síochána continue to provide ongoing support to the families.

Gardai have launched two separate murder investigations. A Senior Investigating Officer is in charge of each investigation supported by an incident room.

Both scenes have been sealed off and remain so, the Garda Technical Bureau are conducting a detailed forensic examination of each scene.

A post mortem was carried out on the remains of Aidan Moffitt, yesterday, at University Hospital Sligo by Dr Sally Ann Collis, State Pathologist.  A post mortem will be carried out on the remains of Michael Snee later today. Gardai are not releasing any details of the post mortem examination for operational reasons.

Supt Glacken confirmed that, shortly after 1.30am this morning a male in his early 20s was arrested for murder.  This male remains in custody, detained under section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984.

He said Gardai continue to retain an open mind in this investigation.

Thanking the community for their cooperation and assistance to date, he continued to appeal for public assistance.

“We are actively investigating as to whether there is any hate related motive to these murders, An Garda Síochána will endeavour to seek out all the available evidence, and ultimately it will be for a Court to decide on the motivation behind these appalling crimes."

Stating that Gardai were exploring if the victim in each case had met their attacker online, he added: “Meeting people online is a normal activity.  Meeting people online should be a safe activity.  But as with any online activity everybody should be aware of personal safety advice, which we have provided on the Garda website.

“We continue to explore all the circumstances of these cases and are examining another recent incident which occurred in the Sligo area.  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 said.

An Garda Síochána has an online facility to report Hate Crimes on the Garda website.

Anyone with any information on these crimes is asked to contact Sligo Garda Station at the dedicated Incident Room phone number 071 9157088, the Garda Confidential Line phone number 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.