Yousef Palani has received two life sentences for the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee.

The 23-year-old of Markievicz Heights in Sligo was also handed a separate 20-year sentence for causing serious harm to Anthony Burke.

He pleaded guilty to the crimes last year.

At his sentencing hearing today, the court hear how distressing details of how he used dating apps to target gay men living alone in the Sligo area, murdering two and seriously injuring another.

Aidan Moffitt’s body was found on the floor of his bedroom on the 11th of April last year.

His hands were tied behind his back and he had been decapitated.

The businessman suffered over 100 sharp wound injuries, almost half of which were stab wounds.

A knife was placed in his hand after he was killed.

Michael Snee’s body was found in his home two days later. He too had been stabbed to death.

Two knives were laid out on his bed in the shape of a cross.

Yousef Palani has pleaded guilty to their murders and also admits stabbing another man in the face, costing him his eyesight in his left eye.

This was after they had engaged in consensual sexual activity in the man’s home.

Palani used dating apps to target gay men living alone in the Sligo area. The court heard he was born in Iraq but moved to Ireland with his family when he was a boy.

He described homosexuality as a “sin” and told Gardai, “You won’t find many homosexual Muslims.”

He said it was “prohibited under Islam.”