Ireland Case No. 7733Murder · Co. Sligo
Sligo man pleads guilty to two murders and causing serious harm to a third
Yousef Palani, a 23-year-old man of Markievicz Heights in Sligo, was charged with the murders of Aidan Moffitt, 41, at Cartron Heights on April 10, 2022, and Michael Snee, 58, at City View, Connaughton Road, on April 12, 2022, and with causing serious harm to Anthony Burke at Cleveragh Road on April 9, 2022. He was first charged with the two killings at Sligo District Court on April 14, 2022. On July 31, 2023, at the Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, he pleaded guilty to both murders and to causing serious harm to Burke. Sentencing is adjourned to October 23, 2023, for victim impact reports, and he faces a mandatory life sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted31 Jul
2 reports - Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Yousef Palani, 23, of Markievicz Heights in Sligo, pleaded guilty to the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee.
- Palani also pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to Anthony Burke, which one source describes as intentionally harming him.
- Where
- Moffitt was killed at Cartron Heights in Sligo; one source spells this Carton Heights.
- Snee was killed at City View, Connaughton Road, in Sligo.
- When
- Moffitt was killed on April 10, 2022.
- Snee was killed on April 12, 2022, and Burke was harmed at Cleveragh Road in Sligo on April 9, 2022.
- Other details
- Moffitt was 41, a businessman and Fine Gael activist, and Snee was 58.
- Charges
- Palani was first charged with the two killings at Sligo District Court on April 14, 2022.
- In court
- Palani entered his guilty pleas at arraignment before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring at the Central Criminal Court on Monday, July 31, 2023.
- The judge extended sympathy to the families of the deceased and directed that victim impact statements be prepared.
- A four-week trial had been listed for November 13, 2023, and Palani changed senior counsel from Brendan Grehan to Michael Bowman SC at the start of July.
- Sentence
- Palani faces a mandatory life sentence.
- Sentencing has been adjourned to October 23, 2023.
- Investigation
- Palani is on remand in Castlerea Prison, and records have been sought from the Central Mental Hospital and Castlerea Prison.
24 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA 23-year-old pleaded guilty to the murder of two men in Sligo town. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPalani also pleaded guilty to intentionally harming another man at Cleveragh Road in Sligo on April 9, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPalani pleaded guilty to the murder of Aidan Moffitt at Cartron Heights in Sligo on April 10th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPalani pleaded guilty to the murder of Michael Snee at City View, Connaughton Road, Sligo, on April 12th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPalani pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to Anthony Burke at Cleveragh Road in Sligo on April 9th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whereSnee was killed at City View, Connaughton Road, in Sligo on April 12, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereYousef Palani lives at Markievicz Heights in Sligo. (irishtimes.com)
- whenMoffitt was killed at Carton Heights in Sligo on April 10, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePalani was first charged with the two killings at Sligo District Court on April 14, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPalani was arraigned before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to October 23 for victim impact reports and a sentencing hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPalani pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Mary Ellen Ring expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge directed that victim impact statements be prepared. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was previously listed for a four-week trial on November 13th. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPalani changed his senior counsel to Michael Bowman SC. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePalani faces a mandatory life sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceSentencing has been adjourned to October 23rd. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPalani had been expected to go on trial on November 13, 2023, over three weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPalani changed from senior counsel Brendan Grehan to Mr Bowman at the beginning of July. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMoffitt was 41, a businessman and Fine Gael activist; Snee was 58. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherRecords have been sought for Palani from the Central Mental Hospital and Castlerea Prison. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPalani was on remand in Castlerea Prison. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defence obtained its own psychiatric assessment and did not intend to share it with the prosecution. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 31 Jul2023Man (23) pleads guilty to Sligo murders and causing serious harm to third victim
Reports the guilty pleas by Yousef Palani to two murders and one serious harm charge, adjourns sentencing to October 23rd, and gives details of earlier hearings, a change of senior counsel and pending records.
convicted, Yousef Palani, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Yousef Palanivictim, Aidan Moffitt, male, irish (judged from name)Aidan Moffittvictim, Michael Snee, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Sneevictim, Anthony Burke, irish (judged from name)Anthony Burke - 31 Jul2023Man admits murdering two men within matter of days
Guilty pleas to two murders and one assault entered at arraignment; sentencing adjourned to October 23 for victim impact reports. The article names the victims and the court.
convicted, Yousef Palani, 23, male, namedYousef Palanivictim, Aidan Moffitt, 41, male, irish (judged from name)Aidan Moffittvictim, Michael Snee, 58, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Sneevictim, male