Ireland Case No. 7278Murder · Co. Sligo · 10 Apr 2022
Yousef Palani sentenced to life for Sligo murders and attack
Between 9 and 12 April 2022, during a four-day spree of violence in Sligo town, Yousef Palani, a 23-year-old man, attacked Anthony Burke at Cleveragh Road on 9 April, murdered Aidan Moffitt at Cartron Heights on 10 April, and murdered Michael Snee at City View, Connaughton Road, on 12 April. Gardaí traced Palani to his home at Markievicz Heights and arrested him at 1.38am on 13 April 2022. Palani pleaded guilty to the two murders and to causing serious harm to Mr Burke, and on Monday 23 October 2023 Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring at the Central Criminal Court imposed mandatory life sentences for the murders and a 20-year sentence for the assault, to run concurrently. Palani is being psychologically assessed in Mountjoy Prison.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court23 Oct
- Convicted23 Oct
- Sentenced23 Oct
5 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Yousef Palani, a 23-year-old man, pleaded guilty to the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee and to causing serious harm to Anthony Burke in Sligo.
- Other details
- The victims were Aidan Moffitt, an Irish man aged 42 (one report says 41), Michael Snee, an Irish man aged 58, and Anthony Burke, an Irish man aged 50.
- The victims were chosen after questions were put to them to ensure they were Irish and living alone.
- Moffitt was decapitated in his home, and Snee was stabbed 25 times, mainly to the head, neck and chest, though one account says he had 38 wounds.
- Palani stabbed Burke in the left eye, and Burke survived but lost sight in that eye.
- Palani is being psychologically assessed in Mountjoy Prison.
- Where
- Aidan Moffitt was killed at Cartron Heights, Sligo, Michael Snee at City View, Connaughton Road, Sligo, and Anthony Burke was attacked at Cleveragh Road, Sligo.
- Palani was arrested at his home at Markievicz Heights, Sligo, at 1.38am on 13 April 2022.
- When
- Burke was attacked on 9 April 2022, Moffitt was murdered on 10 April 2022 and Snee was murdered on 12 April 2022, during a four-day spree of violence in Sligo town.
- Cause
- Gardaí said Palani was motivated by hatred of gay men, and he tracked the men using an LGBT dating app.
- Weapon
- All three attacks involved knives, and Palani stabbed Moffitt and Snee to death in their homes and mutilated their bodies.
- Investigation
- Gardaí identified Palani after a man recognised him from a photograph, and they traced him to his home with help from witnesses, including Mr Burke.
- Gardaí investigated a possible terror link, concluded there were no outside groups or individuals involved, and were satisfied Palani was not radicalised.
- In court
- Palani replaced his legal team and changed his plea to guilty, and he was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday 23 October 2023 by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring.
- Sentence
- Palani received a mandatory life sentence for each murder count and a 20-year sentence for the assault on Mr Burke, with the sentences running concurrently.
78 statements extracted from the articles
- whatPalani pleaded guilty to two murders and to causing serious harm to a third man in Sligo. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPalani murdered two men and seriously assaulted a third during a four-day spree of violence in Sligo town. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAnthony Burke was nearly killed in a knife attack by Yousef Palani. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPalani was sentenced to life for the murder of two gay men. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPalani murdered Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee and attacked Anthony Burke, leaving him blind in one eye. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAidan Moffitt was murdered at Cartron Heights in Sligo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereMichael Snee was murdered at City View, Connaughton Road, Sligo. (irishtimes.com)
- whereAidan Moffitt was killed at Cartron Heights in Sligo. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMichael Snee was killed at City View, Connaughton Road, Sligo. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe murders took place in Sligo last year. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attacks happened during a four-day spree of violence in Sligo town. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack on Anthony Burke happened at Cleveragh Road in Sligo. (irishmirror.ie)
- wherePalani was arrested at his home at Markievicz Heights in Sligo at 1.38am on April 13. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder of Aidan Moffitt took place on April 10, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder of Michael Snee took place on April 12, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAidan Moffitt was murdered on April 10, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenMichael Snee was murdered two days later, on April 12, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenPalani was sentenced on a Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder of Aidan Moffitt took place on 10 April 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenAidan Moffitt was murdered by Palani on April 10, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- causePalani targeted the men because of hostility and prejudice towards gay men. (irishtimes.com)
- causePalani tracked the men using an LGBT dating app. (irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí said Palani was motivated by his hatred of homosexual men. (irishmirror.ie)
- causePalani tracked the men down using an LGBT dating app. (irishtimes.com)
- causeMichael Snee had 38 wounds which a postmortem determined were inflicted while he was alive. (irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí are satisfied Palani was motivated by a hatred of gay men. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponPalani stabbed the men to death in their homes. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponAll three attacks involved knives. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponPalani stabbed the two men to death in their homes and mutilated their bodies. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponPalani plunged a knife into Burke's left eye. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponPalani stabbed the men to death in their homes and mutilated their bodies. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponPalani stabbed Anthony Burke in the eye with a knife. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponPalani plunged a knife into Burke's eyeball in the early hours of April 9. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponPalani left two knives in the shape of a cross on Snee's bed. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí traced Palani to his home with the help of witnesses and arrested him. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí were satisfied that Palani was not radicalised. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí said Palani had exaggerated or made up claims about his mental health. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe Palani would have continued to kill gay men if he had not been arrested. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí identified Palani after a man recognised him from a photograph and directed them to his home. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí traced Palani to his home with the help of witnesses, including Mr Burke, and arrested him. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí investigated a possible terror connection and concluded there were no outside groups or individuals involved. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Criminal Assets Bureau determined the money likely came from legitimate sources. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAnthony Burke called an ambulance after the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationTaoiseach Leo Varadkar praised Anthony Burke for providing crucial information to gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe they saved the life of another potential victim who was in contact with Palani by phone shortly before his arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePalani pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to Anthony Burke at Cleveragh Road in Sligo on April 9, 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPalani was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity was not contended for. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtLorcan Staines SC prosecuted the case. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPalani told gardaí he would have continued to kill if he had not been stopped. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPalani has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMs Justice Mary Ellen Ring imposed the sentences. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPalani replaced his legal team and changed his plea to guilty. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentencing hearing was held at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPalani was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Aidan Moffitt. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPalani pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to Anthony Burke. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentencePalani received a mandatory life sentence for each murder count. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePalani received 20 years for the attack on Mr Burke. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe sentences will run concurrently. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePalani received a mandatory life sentence for each count of murder. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePalani was sentenced to 20 years for the attack on Anthony Burke. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe sentences run concurrently. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMs Justice Mary Ellen Ring imposed two mandatory life sentences for the murders of Mr Snee and Mr Moffitt. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceA 20-year term was imposed for the assault causing serious harm to Mr Burke, which left him blind in one eye. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePalani was also sentenced to life for the murder of Michael Snee. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentencePalani was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPalani admitted the offences. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPalani claimed he heard voices that told him to carry out the attacks. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAidan Moffitt had been decapitated in his home. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMichael Snee was stabbed 25 times, mainly to the head, neck and chest. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAnthony Burke survived the attack but lost sight in one eye. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victims were chosen after questions were put to them to ensure they were Irish and living alone. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMichael Snee's family described him as kind and fun. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPalani initially denied any knowledge of the murders. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí found €350,000 in cash in two suitcases in Palani's home in Sligo town. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAnthony Burke lost the use of one of his eyes following the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAnthony Burke says he finds it hard to sleep and gets nightmares since the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPalani is in Mountjoy Prison being psychologically assessed. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Oct2023Gardai nailed Sligo killer Yousef Palani as he lined up his fourth victim
Reports Palani's life sentence and that he is being assessed in Mountjoy Prison. Adds details of the attacks, the arrest and a suspected potential third victim.
convicted, Yousef Palani, namedYousef Palanivictim, Aidan Moffitt, 41, irish (judged from name)Aidan Moffittvictim, Michael Snee, 58, irish (judged from name)Michael Sneevictim, Anthony Burke, irish (judged from name)Anthony Burke - 24 Oct2023Anthony Burke speaks about horrific attack he suffered at hands of Yousef Palani
Covers the life sentence for the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee, the guilty plea for serious harm to Anthony Burke, and Burke's account of the attack and its effects.
convicted, Yousef Palani, 23, namedYousef Palanivictim, Aidan Moffitt, 42, irish (judged from name)Aidan Moffittvictim, Michael Snee, 58, irish (judged from name)Michael Sneevictim, Anthony Burke, irish (judged from name)Anthony Burke - 24 Oct2023Yousef Palani: Massive cash find sparked fears Sligo murders were terror-related
Reports the sentencing at the Central Criminal Court and details of the garda terrorism inquiry, the cash found at the home, and the motive.
convicted, Yousef Palani, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Yousef Palanivictim, Michael Snee, 58, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Sneevictim, Aidan Moffitt, male, irish (judged from name)Aidan Moffittvictim, Anthony Burke, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony Burke - 23 Oct2023‘Everyone knows me now as associated with these murders’: Palani victim feels depressed, betrayed and, above all, angry
Feature piece about the victim Anthony Burke's aftermath, covering the stabbing and the Moffitt and Snee murders by the same suspect. States that Palani changed his plea to guilty; the article is cut off before any sentence is reported.
convicted, Yousef Palani, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Yousef Palanivictim, Anthony Burke, 50, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony Burkevictim, Aidan Moffitt, 41, male, irish (judged from name)Aidan Moffittvictim, Michael Snee, 58, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Snee - 23 Oct2023Families remember ‘kind’, ‘fun’ and ‘caring’ Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt who were murdered by Yousef Palani
Sentencing report. Adds the sentences, the murder method, the use of a dating app to find the victims, the family statements and the 20-year sentence for the assault on Anthony Burke.
convicted, Yousef Palani, 23, male, namedYousef Palanivictim, Michael Snee, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Sneevictim, Aidan Moffitt, male, irish (judged from name)Aidan Moffittvictim, Anthony Burke, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony Burke - 23 Oct2023Hatred of gay Irish men drove murderer Palani to kill, court hears
Report of the sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court, including the garda evidence on the attacks and the motivation given by the prosecution and gardaí.
convicted, Yousef Palani, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Yousef Palanivictim, Aidan Moffitt, 42, male, Irish, irishAidan Moffittvictim, Michael Snee, 58, male, Irish, irishMichael Sneevictim, Anthony Burke, male, Irish, irishAnthony Burke - 23 Oct2023Yousef Palani jailed for life for murder of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee in Sligo
Reports the sentencing of Yousef Palani at the Central Criminal Court, including life sentences for two murders, a 20-year sentence for the attack on Mr Burke, the judge's remarks and the victim impact statement.
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, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony Burke