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A number of vigils will take place around the country this weekend in memory of two men who were killed in Sligo town this week.
Aidan Moffitt (41) and Michael Snee (58) were killed in their homes in separate violent attacks in recent days.
On Thursday, Yousef Palani (22) of Markievicz Heights Sligo was charged with murdering the two men, and further charged with an assault at Cleveragh road, Sligo on April 9th.
Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride has organised a vigil for the two men, which will take place outside Dáil Éireann at 6pm on Friday.
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“We as a community are in pain, we are angry, we are afraid and many of us are feeling powerless right now. We have been here before, and we know exactly what to do. We are going to come together and share our grief, we are going to remember and honour Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee,” the organisers said.
Outside of the capital, community groups and LGBT+ societies have also set up gatherings to commemorate the two men.
Some of the vigils taking place on Friday include a gathering at Sligo Town Hall at 6pm, a vigil in John Roberts Square, Waterford at 10am and another gathering at Kilkenny town hall at 6:30pm.
Sligo Pride, which organised the Sligo vigil, said it is “shocked and devastated” to hear about the recent deaths.
“Our condolences go out to the friends and families of the victims,” a statement said.
“We hope this [vigil] will provide an opportunity for people to grieve and mourn the loss of Aidan and Michael.”
On Saturday, members of the public will gather in Eyre Square, Galway at 7pm and the Square in Blessington, Wicklow at 6pm.
Some gatherings will also take place on Monday, including at Arthur's Quay, Limerick at 6pm and at the Square in Tralee, Kerry at the same time.
Mr Moffitt’s funeral will take place in Co Roscommon on Monday .
He is survived by his mother Kathleen, sister Sharon, brothers Christy and Gerard, niece Laura, nephews Keith and Daniel, sister-in-law Adrienne, brother-in-law Sean, uncle Junior, godmother Mary, relatives, neighbours, colleagues and a large circle of friends, his death notice reads. He is predeceased by his father Tom and his brother Anthony.
Mr Moffitt will repose in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Sunday from 4pm until 7pm. Removal will take place from the funeral home on Monday at 11.30am to Christ the King Church, Lisacul arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at noon, followed by interment in Lisacul Cemetery.
Vigils
Bray’s vigil will take place at the bandstand at 5pm today, as will Loughrea’s in Galway, at the Long Point.
A vigil will take place at 6pm this evening in Market Square in Cavan town.
Belfast city hall and Derry’s Guildhall Square will also host vigils this evening at 6pm, as will the crossroads in Falcarragh in Donegal.
Demonstrations will take place across county Dublin, with vigils organised for the Sea Memorial in Skerries at 6pm and at Balbriggan’s seafront for 7pm today.
Vigils will be held this evening at 6pm in Naas Harbour, Liffey Linear Park in Newbridge, County Hall Plaza in Portlaoise, the Civic Offices in Ardee, the town square in Dundalk and St Peter’s Chruch in Drogheda.
More locations with vigils taking place at 6pm today include Fair Green in Kells, Navan’s town hall, the Lace Gallery in Carrickmacross, O’Connor Square in Tullamore, Walton Park in Abbeyside in Dungarvan and Mullingar town park.
A vigil has been organised outside Omagh courthouse at 7pm and another will occur at Wexford quay at the same time.
Clonmel will host a vigil at the Main Guard on O’Connell Street at 7:30pm.
Weekend vigils
A vigil will be held at the Amazing Grace viewing point on the shorefront in Buncrana, Donegal at 2:30pm on Saturday.
Maynooth’s town square will see a vigil at 6pm Saturday, as will the square in Blessington.
Carlow Pride Fest are organising a vigil for Saturday at 6:30pm at the Liberty Tree Fountain in Carlow town.
Quare Clare have organised a vigil for Easter Sunday at 2:15pm in Killaloe, on the bridge linking Clare and Tipperary.
In Cork city, Gay Project are holding a vigil in Bishop Lucey Park on Easter Monday at 6pm, as are Arklow in the bandstand in the town’s park and Carrick-on-Shannon at the town clock.
On Wednesday, a vigil will be held at 9pm in Tom Ruane Park in Ballina in Mayo.
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