Yousef Palani has been sentenced to life in prison by the Central Criminal Court for the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee in Co Sligo in April 2022. .
A 20-year sentence for the violent attack on Anthony Burke, which saw the victim lose sight in his eye, was additionally imposed. The sentences will be back dated to April 2022 when Palani was first arrested and taken into custody.
Earlier today, the sentencing hearing was told that Palani exaggerated mental health issues when being questioned by gardaí in relation to the murders of Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt.
The 23-year old had previously pleaded guilty to the murder of both men and to intentionally causing harm to a third man, Anthony Burke.
Palani, who is of Iraqi origin, but became a naturalised Irish citizen, was living in Markievicz Heights in Sligo at the time that he violently attacked the men separately in their own homes between 9th and 12th of April, 2022.
One of the victims, Aidan Moffitt, was reported to have been beheaded during the attack, while both men’s bodies were described as mutilated.
The Central Criminal Court was told today that one of the victims was decapitated and had 43 stab wounds, while another was stabbed 25 times mainly to the head, neck and chest.
Both Mr Moffitt and Michael Snee, were believed to have been contacted by Palani on the gay dating app, Grindr before being brutally attacked in their homes.
Victims Michael Snee and Aidan Moffit
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Today the court heard that Palani had targeted gay men living alone, and that he had become obsessed with tying his victims up before killing them.
The double killer at first denied any involvement in the murders, but later told gardaí he did not hate gay people and that “voices” told him to do it.
However, in a later interview he gave a graphic description of carrying out the violent attacks and told gardaí he had not been mentally well for seven years.
But the court heard that no psychiatric report had ever been provided to gardaí and that Palani appeared to have exaggerated his mental health issues.
While he had told Gardaí that his Muslim religion forbade homosexuality, they believed the killer was not radicalised.
Previous reports told that the double killer went to pray in his local mosque he had brutally murdered popular businessman Aidan Moffitt at his home on April 10, 2022.
A huge sum of cash, believed to be as much as €250,000 was found hidden by gardaí searching Palani’s home after the murders.
Anthony Burke, who survived Palani’s attack said that the double killer had a ‘kill list’ and that he believed the murdered planned to kill 12 people in total.
Mr Burke, who was stabbed in the eye by his assailant told the Sligo Champion: “There were about 12 people on the list. He would have just gone around to every single one of them. He had a kill list. He was going to kill everyone that he was chatting to on Grindr.”
After connecting on Grindr, Palani called to Mr Burke’s home and showed him ropes, saying “this was his ‘thing’ – he liked to tie people up”.
He then showed Mr Burke online profiles of “around a dozen men” he had been chatting to on Grindr.
“There were about 12 people on the list. He would have just gone around to every single one of them. He had a kill list. He was going to kill everyone that he was chatting to on Grindr,” Mu Burke said.
Mr Burke said he refused to be tied up by the evil killer and ushered Palani out of his home, but the killer followed him back towards his house and stabbed him in the eye before saying: “There you go”.
The hearing continues at the Central Criminal Court.
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So the Irish taxpayer must fund the life of this murderer………………………its time these criminals were deported immediately and the conversation re capital punishment recommences
Now now Des. Always remember diversity is our strength. You as an Irish tax payer have the privilege of funding sick depraved extremely voilent serial killers and if you object then Helen McEntee will have you prosecuted for hate speech untill you shut up. The policy of the government could be summed up as “croppies lie down”. At least when the English were trying to get rid of us we had some semblance of national unity. Now it is our own gob shites who want to keep us down. Remember them when you vote.
Too true. This country is finished thanks to the traitors in the Dail led by varadkar, Martin and Ryan.
Today, RTE radio laid it on the door of the far right and hate speech activity. The guards meanwhile were said to be watching out for LGBTQ++++, and for Sligo’s Muslims?????
As Ireland acquiesces to Sharia law the crimes committed by this piece of human detritus will become commonplace not requiring judicial review. Never have the words of Martin Nielmoller rung so prophetic of the present path the Nation is on- First they came for the Jews, and because I was not a Jew, I did not speak up, Then they came for the homosexuals….
How come he was a naturalised Irish Citizen.
Just shows the criminal class of thieves rapists and killers being allowed into the country without passports,criminal checks of health checks
The large amount of money he accumulated can only have come from previous attacks .on social media contqcts,who did not want public exposure and thus did nit contact Gardai.
MAD !!!!
The Irish naturalization process is the laxest in Europe.
I have studied a dozen countries and defy anyone to show me a European country that is less demanding in its Naturalization process.
I find it extraordinary that there is so little political interest in reviewing our Naturalization requirements, such as they are.
Candidates don’t even have to speak English (gan tra’cht ar an nGaeilge).
Dr Barnwell – could you do an article for gript on the citizenship rules in the countries you have studied as compared to Irelands?
Last weeks Newtalk had contributors that insisted on linking homophobic attacks and hate speech with far right. Nothing was mentioned about this Muslim mans religious beliefs or where he got the huge amount of cash at the age of 23.
No far right or anti gay irish catholic person would even have thought of doing what he done.
But you will see the left wing woke brigade and lgbt crowd shouting loud to keep tens of thousands of unvetted single muslim men into the country. These men are anti lgbtq and are right wing.
This guy should be deported .The Irish taxpayer should not be paying for him in prison here . If Michael D is worried about his human rights then let him pay for his prison costs from his FAT CAT salary . He need to spend the rest of his life in a hellhole prison ABROAD !!! We give him a chance . This is what he did with it . He has made his bed , now he must lie in it .
Anyone who is young and qualified. Anyone who has young children who are young enough to integrate comfortably. Run for your lives while you can. Any of the emirate states including Saudi Arabia. Run while you can. Take your children and get out. If you have no children even better. Go to a country that protects its citizens and its residents. Go to a country where there is peace and security, zero crime, good paying jobs and a decent way of life. Go to a country where if you get sick and need medical attention you shall be taken care of. Go to a country where your children can walk around safely without fear of being raped or beaten to death on the streets. Get out while you can. Let the EU/UN/WEF have Ireland and run. Don’t look back