Locals have been left stunned following the murder of two men in Sligo in recent days.
Gardaí have launched two separate murder investigations into the death of Aidan Moffit, 41, whose body was found at his home in Cartron Heights on Monday night, and another man, Micheal Snee, 58, whose body was found at a house off Connaughton Road in Sligo town at 10.30pm last night.
In a press briefing this morning, gardaí said both men had been "assaulted and murdered in their own homes".
In Sligo today there is an air of sadness, shock and disbelief.
"I live outside of the town, I came in today, and all you can hear is people talking about it," explained one local.
"You just don't expect things like this to happen in your town. People are worried, people are scared," she added.
Talking to people on the streets, the concern is palpable.
"I’m just off the phone to friends and they have their door locked, they’re frightened," said another woman.
"You wouldn’t think it would happen in Sligo. God love them and their families," she added.
Peter McDermott from Cavan has been living in Sligo for the five last years.
"It's so shocking. It’s just madness, you wouldn’t expect this in this quiet part of the north west. It’s hard to believe really," he said.
It is clear locals are affected by what has happened.
"It makes you think, it’s makes you more wary," said one local man. Like many people, he knew Mr Snee.
"A really nice man, he came from a decent family, it’s hard to believe," he said.
As gardai investigate if there is any hate-related motive to these killings and if the victims had met their attacker online, Sligo Pride has said its focus is on supporting members of its community across the northwest.
It is planning a vigil in Sligo on Friday as a way for everyone there to show their support for the victims and their families.
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Tributes have been paid to Mr Moffitt who was described by his friend Blaine Gaffney as a very positive person who "lit up the world".
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Gaffney said they became friends through political circles and Mr Moffitt was an "all-round good guy" who was caring and dignified.
Anyone who went to him for business advice sang his praises because of his attention to detail, he added.
Mr Gaffney said he had been talking to Mr Moffitt during his recent holiday in Spain.
He said he heard on Monday night that "something horrendous" had happened in Cartron Heights and later got a photo on WhatsApp that showed a house on Mr Moffitt's street. He then learned in the same way that the victim was his friend.
"It was a very undignified way to find out about it, but that's the world we live in," he said.
Mr Gaffney said it was "chilling and scary" to think that Mr Moffitt's death could have been hate-motivated.
"You'd never say the words hate and Aidan. He lit up the world. He had this really infectious smile."
Gardaí were called to Mr Moffitt's home in Cartron Heights at around 8.30pm on Monday after being alerted by friends who became concerned when they were unable to make contact with him.
Mr Moffitt was originally from Co Roscommon and worked in the financial services sector.
He also canvassed for Fine Gael during a number of election campaigns in recent years.
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Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar said his thoughts are with Mr Moffitt's family and friends.
Mr Varadkar said he was shocked following the two deaths and urged anyone with information to go to gardaí.
Mr Moffitt was a member of the Fine Gael party and "a branch secretary and a branch chairperson".
Minister of State for Public Health Frank Feighan described Mr Moffitt as a genuinely good guy who was always the life and centre of the party and enjoyed the banter.
Anyone who knew him, liked him, he added.
He said the community in Sligo town is stunned and shocked at what has happened.
