Sligo killings: Vigils planned in memory of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee

Fri, 15 Apr, 2022 - 09:00

Michelle McGlynn, Sorcha Crowley and Steven Heaney

As the country is left reeling from the horrific murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee, a number of vigils for the two men are being planned.

Two murder investigations are underway following the killings of Mr Moffitt on Monday and Mr Snee on Tuesday night.

Both men had suffered significant injuries and officers are investigating if there was a hate-related motive to their murders. Gardaí are also investigating if both men met their attacker online.

LGBT Ireland said it has been a dark week for the LGBTI+ community in Ireland.

Both men lived alone, and were private, pleasant and inoffensive, according to neighbours.

"He was a highly educated man. He used to work in the financial services and then he set up his own auctioneering business," local man Pat Devaney said of 42-year-old Mr Moffitt.

"You could approach Aidan about anything... He had loads of friends here and in Roscommon. Sligo people accepted him."

Mr Snee, 58, was a retired healthcare worker, who had impaired vision in one eye. He lived a quiet life alone with his dog in one of 14 maisonettes in the council-owned sheltered accommodation for about five years.

“He would put out the ashes and light the fire for me, that’s the sort of a neighbour he was,” Thomas McCarrick said.

“It’s just desperate, he was a very pleasant man. It’s tragic. It shouldn’t be happening anywhere," said another neighbour, Rose McGowan.

In the wake of the double tragedy, groups in Sligo and beyond have planned vigils in memory of the two men.

Aidan Moffitt's funeral will take place this Sunday, April 17 at the Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen from 4pm until 7pm.

His removal will then take place on Monday, April 18 at 11.30am at Christ the King Church in Lisacul. He will be buried at Lisacul Cemetery later that afternoon.

Writing on RIP.ie, Mr Moffitt was "tragically predeceased" by his father, Thomas, and his brother, Anthony.

His family said he would be "sadly missed and remembered with love" by his mother Kathleen, his sister Sharon, his brothers, Christy and Gerard, his niece, Laura, his nephews, Keith and Daniel, his sister-in-law, Adrienne, his brother-in-law, Sean, his uncle, Junior, his godmother, Mary, and his other "relatives, neighbours, colleagues and a large circle of friends."

"May Aidan’s gentle soul rest in peace," the family said.

Michael Snee will repose at his family home in Sligo on Saturday and Sunday, before his funeral on Monday, April 18 at St Joseph's Church Ballytivnan.

"Predeceased by his mum, dearly loved son of John and cherished brother of Mary and Tina" his family wrote in a tribute on RIP.ie

"Adored uncle of Aaron, Shannon and Sophie. Sadly missed by his loving family; brother-in-law Francis, aunts Marie and Kitty, cousins, relatives and friends. Rest in peace."

The families of both Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee have requested that donations in lieu be given to the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI).

Other Donations should be provided the the North West Hospice, Sligo, for Mr Snee and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland, for Mr Moffitt.

Details of the individual vigils for Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee can be found below:

FRIDAY

Galway: 5pm at The Long Point

Wicklow: 5pm at the bandstand in Bray

Sligo: 6pm outside the Town Hall

Dublin: 6pm at Dáil Éireann

Louth: 6pm at Dundalk Town Square

Louth: 6pm at the Tholsel

Louth: 6pm at Ardee Civic Offices

Waterford: 6pm at St John Roberts Square

Waterford: 6pm at Walton Park, Abbeyside, Dungarvan