Some people may find the contents of this story distressing.
Yousef Palani has been given two life sentences for the double murder of Aidan Moffit and Michael Snee in Sligo last year.
He was also handed 20 years for causing serious harm to Anthony Burke.
Palani, who was not seen in court yet today, has pleaded guilty to the double murder of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee, and to causing serious harm to Anthony Burke.
The court has heard today that Palani tied up and decapitated Mr Moffitt at his home in Cartron Heights in April 2022. The businessman suffered over one hundred sharp wound injuries, almost half of which were stab wounds. A knife was placed in his hand after he was killed.
Michael Snee’s body was found in his home two days later. He too had been stabbed to death. Two knives were laid out on his bed in the shape of a cross.
The court also heard this afternoon that Palani told Gardaí that he would have continued his killing spree if he had not been stopped and arrested when he was.
Gardaí are also satisfied that Palani was NOT radicalised in his actions.
Palani used dating apps to target gay men living alone in the Sligo area. The court heard he was born in Iraq but moved to Ireland with his family when he was a boy.
He described homosexuality as a “sin” and told gardaí “you won’t find many homosexual Muslims.” He said it was “prohibited under Islam.”
Via his legal representative, Palani offered apologies to his victims, and said he struggled to comprehend the enormity of what he had done.
