A 22-year-old man has been charged with murdering two men and an assault on another in three separate attacks this week in County Sligo in the west of Ireland.
Yousef Palani appeared at a special sitting of Sligo district court on Thursday afternoon, a day after his arrest. Wearing a grey tracksuit and black training shoes, Palani did not speak during the brief hearing.
He was charged with murdering Aidan Moffitt, 41, and Michael Snee, 58, at their homes on 10 and 12 April. Palani, with an address at Markievicz Heights in Sligo town, was also charged with assault causing serious harm to another man, Anthony Burke, on 9 April.
A police van brought the accused from Sligo Garda station to the courthouse, where scores of people and camera crews had gathered. Some people shouted as the van passed.
The defending solicitor, Gerry McGovern, told Judge Sandra Murphy there would be no application for bail and asked for Palani to be closely watched in case he attempted to kill himself. He requested immediate psychiatric assessment. “This is quite an urgent case,” he said. McGovern also requested free legal aid, saying his client was unemployed.
Murphy granted both requests and said the defendant would receive any necessary medical treatment. Palani was remanded in custody to appear at Sligo district court by video link on 21 April.
The killings shocked Sligo and prompted vigils across Ireland. Friends and neighbours paid tribute to Moffitt and Snee.
