Sligo stunned as two men are murdered in their own homes
GARDAI in Sligo have launched two separate murder investigations as family, friends and the wider community come to terms with the violent deaths in their homes of two hugely respected and highly regarded local men.
In a press briefing yesterday morning attended by a large national and local media cohort, Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken describing their deaths as “appalling crimes” said that Michael Snee, 58, and Aidan Moffitt, 42, had been “assaulted and murdered in their own homes”.
A man in his early 20s was arrested in Sligo town shortly after 1.30am for murder. He remains in custody as we go to press, detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Chief Supt Glacken said Gardaí continue to “retain an open mind in this investigation”.
He confirmed they were “actively investigating as to whether there is any hate related motive to these murders.
“Gardaí are also investigating whether Michael and Aidan met their attacker online. 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.” He said Gardaí continue “to explore all the circumstances of these cases and are examining another recent incident which occurred in the Sligo area”.
This is understood to be a reference to a weekend attack on a man in the Cleveragh area of Sligo which some have speculated may be linked. In this incident a man sustained an eye injury.”
SLIGO town is at the centre of a major garda investigation into the violent deaths of two men in separate incidents over the past four days.
Both deaths have been upgraded to murder and a senior garda confirmed that two separate murder investigations are now underway. Sligo-Leitrim’s most senior garda told reporters at a media briefing that both were “murdered in their own homes”. In both cases Gardaí used the words “significant physical injuries” to describe the injuries sustained by both men. Named as Aidan Moffitt (42) and Michael Snee (58), Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken told a media briefing outside Sligo Garda Station on Wednesday, yesterday, morning that both were well-known and respected in their local community.
Gardaí, he said, “continue to retain an open mind in this investigation”.
He said both men “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 Sligo community”.
There are reports also that the two deaths follow an attack in the Cleveragh area of Sligo town at the weekend when a man in his mid-40s was stabbed in the eye.
There is speculation that all three incidents may be linked. In a reference to this attack, Chief Superintendent Glacken said Gardaí were “investigating another recent incident which occurred in the Sligo area”. Chief Superintendent Glacken said Gardaí have commenced two separate murder investigations.
“A Senior Investigation officer is in charge of each investigation supported by an incident room. Substantial garda resources are being dedicated to these investigations.” “The Garda Technical Bureau is conducting a detailed forensic examination of each scene,” he said.
Chief Supt Glacken said a post-mortem was carried out on the remains of Aidan Moffitt, on Tuesday at University Hospital Sligo by Dr Sally Ann Collis, State Pathologist. A post-mortem was due to be carried out on the remains of Michael Snee yesterday, Wednesday. Details of the post mortem examination will not be released for operational reasons.
The senior garda confirmed that a man had been arrested for murder: “Shortly after 1.30am this morning [Wednesday] a male in his early 20s was arrested for murder. “This male remains in custody, detained under section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984, and I cannot make any further comment on this part of the investigation.”
Reaction local and national has been swift with many tributes to the deceased.
Locally, people have also spoken about being stunned, shocked and in some cases afraid having heard the news of both violent deaths. Nationally, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “deeply concerned by this horrific killing and reports of another violent death in Sligo this morning.”
He urged anyone with any information to contact gardaí. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said he was shocked following the two deaths in Sligo and urged anyone with information to go to the gardaí.
Gardaí say they are actively investigating whether Mr Moffitt met his killer online and if there was a hate related motive.
On Tuesday, Gardaí issued a series of detailed online warnings to people to be extra cautious when using online dating apps. Gardaí listed precautions people should take if they were using these online apps.
A man in his 20s was arrested in Sligo town following the discovery of the body of a man in his 50s at an apartment in the Connaughton Road area.
It’s understood relatives found the man’s body and alerted Gardaí who arrived at 10.30pm. Gardaí said the man had sustained “significant physical injuries”.
It follows the murder of Aidan Moffitt, whose body was found on Monday evening in the Cartron Heights estate. In relation to his death, Gardaí used the phrase “significant physical injuries” when describing the injuries sustained by the late Mr Moffitt. His body was found in his home in Cartron Heights after Gardaí were alerted that he could not be contacted.
It’s understood friends alerted Gardaí that he hadn’t been seen since Sunday evening and he could not be contacted.
His remains were taken to Sligo University Hospital on Monday afternoon for a post mortem. A forensic examination continued at the semi-detached house on Tuesday and resumed on Wednesday morning, with the scene preserved overnight.
On Tuesday Gardaí, in a statement, said they are appealing for any person who was in Cartron Heights or the general Cartron area on the afternoon of Monday, April 11, up to 8.30pm, and who saw anything which drew their attention, to contact investigating Gardaí. 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.
The statement added: “Gardaí are actively investigating as to whether there is any hate related motive to this murder. “Gardaí are also actively investigating whether the deceased met his attacker online.”
Meanwhile, Gardaí spent much of Tuesday in the Cartron area going door to door, trying to put together the movements of Mr Moffitt in the time leading up to his death.
Locals commenting on the death of Mr Moffitt and Wednesday morning’s breaking news of a second violent death, spoke of being scared and concerned at the violent deaths of both men.
Blaine Gaffney, a close friend of Mr Moffitt who had supported him when Gaffney ran for election to Sligo County Council, told RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland on Wednesday there was fear in Sligo and people were “scared”.
Talking about his friend he said it was very hard to believe what had happened.
He said he wanted to remember Aidan for who he was and not for what had happened to him. He said Aidan was a very keen political activist and he met him through political circles. He had assisted Mr Gaffney when he ran for election.
Fr Noel Rooney, parish priest in Cartron, said people in Cartron Heights and Cartron Bay areas were “shocked” by the death of Aidan Moffitt. “I know it is a cliche, but we often say, things like this don’t happen here; but sadly, they do. As the day continued it became more and more horrendous.” As people were coming to terms with the violent death of Mr Moffitt, news emerged of a second violent death, now a murder investigation.
Gardaí, while keeping an open mind as indicated by the Chief Supt, are understood to be investigating a link between those two deaths.
On Tuesday night at 10.30pm gardaí were called to an apartment on Connaughton Road where the body of a man in his late 50s had been discovered. The man had sustained significant physical injuries. On Wednesday morning the scene remained preserved with members of the garda technical bureau conducting technical examinations in the apartment. The man’s body remained at the scene yesterday morning. As we go to press arrangements are being made for a post mortem to be held.
The man was named locally as Michael Snee (58). He lived alone in the small apartment, having moved there from Dromahair where he had lived for many years.
“He was a gentle, lovely person, he would only do his best for you if he could, he wouldn’t harm or wish harm on anyone,” a relative told the Sligo Weekender.
Circa 1.45am yesterday (Wednesday) morning following intense local garda activity and enquiries gardaí in Sligo, assisted by the Armed Support Unit, arrested a man in his early 20s at an apartment near the centre of town on suspicion of murder.
The man was being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Sligo Garda station. He can be detained initially for a period of 24 hours. On Tuesday afternoon gardaí confirmed that they had started a murder investigation into the death of Aidan Moffitt. Mr Moffitt had sustained what gardaí described as “significant physical injuries”. A well-known businessman and Fine Gael activist, Mr Moffitt, an auctioneer, and a Peace Commissioner, was originally from Lisacul, near Ballaghaderreen in Co. Roscommon.
A locally-based financial planner and auctioneer his most recent business was known as Hazelfort specialises in advice on mortgages, insurance, and property.
He qualified in auctioneering and property and evaluation in University College Galway [now NUIG] and worked for a while in an auctioneering and mortgage brokerage which led him to financial services in banking.
He was a friend of Fine Gael TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Frank Feighan who described Mr Moffitt as “a good friend.” Speaking at the scene he said: “My thoughts are with his family. I dropped by last night (Monday) and this morning to pay my respects.”
Mr Moffitt was secretary of the Fine Gael party’s Sligo-Leitrim Constituency Executive and was the chairperson of the Sligo-Strandhill District of the Fine Gael party. Speaking to the Sligo Weekender last year on the day of the announcement that Sligo will become a university town about his business and the improving economic climate in Sligo, Mr Moffitt spoke of the many positive developments ongoing in Sligo: “The happenings in Sligo are positive and the way Sligo is developing is a road map for others.
“We have seen the new roads come in, Sligo has university status and large employers who are household names follow those locations where there is also land to develop. “Previously they would have focused on the Dublin-KildareMeath market and maybe Galway-Limerick, but they are now taking notice of Sligo. “Tech and pharmaceutical companies want to be in university towns and that kind of development will be followed by housing.”
Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance. If you have information, you are asked to contact Sligo Garda Station at the dedicated Incident Room phone number 071 9157088, the Garda Confidential Line phone number 1800 666 111.