Ireland: Funerals of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee

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Source: ICMO

Large crowds attended the funeral Masses on Easter Monday of two gay men murdered in Sligo last week. Aidan Moffitt, 42 and Michael Snee, 58, were found dead in their homes in Sligo town on Monday and Tuesday.

The Bishop of Elphin, Rt Rev Kevin Doran visited both families and attended a vigil outside Sligo Town Hall on Good Friday, organised by Sligo Pride, in memory of the two men. His messages of condolence were read at the funerals in Sligo and Roscommon. A representative of Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar also attended.

The Requiem Mass for Mr Snee, a care assistant, took place at Saint Joseph's Church in Ballytivnan, Sligo. In his homily, Parish Priest Father Noel Rooney described much sadness and grief in the church, as well as anger. He said Michael was remembered as a "beautiful, kind and gentle person", and also "witty with a typical dry Sligo sense of humour." "It is important today that we do not allow the horror of Michael's death to define his beautiful life."

"He was much loved by all and had a heart filled with love. He was a sensitive man and couldn't do enough for his family, his friends and loved ones."

Fr Rooney said Michael had "beautiful way with residents" and had retired about 10 years ago with sight problems. Fr Rooney described his family as the centre and the heart of his life and said one of the last things Michael did was to cook a stew for his family on Tuesday, before two of his nieces found he had been murdered in his home.

The funeral for Aidan Moffitt, a businessman and Fine Gael activist, took place at the Church of Christ the King, Lisacul, Co Roscommon, at the same time, at Michael Snee's funeral.

Parish Priest Father Michael McManus, who is a close friend of the Moffat family, said the "indescribable pain and suffering" of the Moffitt family "cannot adequately be defined or put into words." He said Mr Moffitt "made the world a better place," describing him as "considerate, caring, respectful, intelligent, funny, engaged" but above all "kind".

"He had a love for his country and he used politics as a mechanism to positively develop and improve the lives of others," he told mourners.

"He held many voluntary positions in Fine Gael over the years and he tried to drive positive development. He wanted things to be better for people and he wanted to get things done. Although he had many setbacks in this sphere, he persevered and devoted his time to this cause that he held so dear to his heart."

The murders of the two men has sparked shock and anger across Ireland. Candlelit vigils were held in several towns and cities on both sides of the border to pay tribute to Aidan and Michael and comfort their families.

Gay rights activist Jude Copeland said the deaths of Mr Moffitt and Mr Snee have the potential "to have a real chilling affect on LGBT people: but he praised the people of Ireland for coming together and showing love and solidarity for "two people they do not know."

A 22 year old man, Yousef Palani, has now been charged with their murders.