This week, 23-year-old Yousef Palani was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee in Co Sligo last year.
He also received a 20-year sentence for assaulting Anthony Burke who was left blind in one eye after being stabbed with a knife.
All three of Palani's victims were gay.
RTÉ's Teresa Mannion visited Sligo town in the aftermath of the crimes that have been deemed the most savage and brutal homophobic attacks in the history of the State.
A community's heartbreak and pain
As people browsed newspaper headlines the day after Palani's sentencing on Monday, there was heartbreak and pain visibly etched on their faces.
Some politely declined to comment, eyes filling up as they turned their heads away.
Others, like James McLaren, were a little more forthcoming.
He shook his head and looked hard into the distance as he said simply: "I know Anthony Burke. He's a very fine man, a quiet man who lives alone with his two pet dogs."
He said Anthony was part of an older cohort of gay men in Sligo.
They lived quiet lives in a world more tolerant and accepting of their homosexuality than the repressed one of younger years.
That did not mean they all enjoyed the same level of openness as so many young gay people today.
Many, like Aidan Moffit, still chose not to come out openly to their families.
He said some of these men were "heterosexually married".
Some of them knew Palani and that they were at risk following the murders on the 10 and 12 April 2022.
Gardaí issued a warning to these gay men at the time.
They were outed of necessity because of what Mr McLaren described as Palani's "unspeakable barbaric acts".
Mr McClaren struggles to understand why Palani committed the heinous crimes.
He said: "How would you guess the motivation for such psychopathic acts.
"There is no way anybody could have predicted this, no way of knowing from his background that he could commit these unspeakable crimes, no behavioural signs or red flag warnings.
"He should not get out from behind bars for at least 30 years and even then, who is to say he wouldn't do it again."
In a chilling confession to gardaí, Palani said he would have kept on killing if he hadn't been caught.
The very necessary, but in many cases deeply upsetting, outing of gay men for their own protection would be a recurring cause of sadness for people I spoke to in recent days.
Many wished to remain anonymous.
One man said he would hate to see Sligo labelled as homophobic.
He said: "You have to see why these men didn't feel the need to be 'loud and proud' about their homosexuality.
"Sligo is not rural Ireland. Neither is it a metropolis. Sligo is an urban centre with decent people trying to be true to themselves, living their lives quietly in a low-key manner.
"They never wanted this attention. This evil man has shattered so many lives. All we can do now is try to heal from this, keep our hearts open and move on."
Tony Wehrly runs a jewellery shop in the town and said his customers are still shocked and horrified by the events of last year.
He questions whether Palani was radicalised to commit such grotesque acts of murder and mutilation, although gardaí do not believe so.
In court, gardaí made a point of acknowledging the cooperation and support they received from the Islamic community in Sligo.
The Central Criminal Court heard that the attacks were motivated by ''hostility and prejudice" towards homosexual men.
Despite his denials, gardaí believe that Palani was homosexual himself and said he was a regular user of gay dating apps.
"Whatever the case his actions are inexcusable. It's tragic for Aidan Moffit and Michael Snee who were killed, and their families.
"And for poor Anthony Burke who was left maimed as well.
"I knew Anthony, a lovely man who interfered with nobody, minding his own business. Then this happens and it's just terrible.
"It's awful how he had to be outed in this way. I'm sure he's very fragile right now. I can only imagine what he's going through.
"But only for him who knows how many more would have lost their lives."
"The worry is that he could be out in 20 years and perhaps sooner for good conduct. Here in Sligo people have very real fears that Yousef Palani could kill again."
Fragile is a word used again and again to describe Mr Burke.
But beneath the fragility lies exceptional courage and a quiet strength of character.
He assisted gardaí in identifying the murderer who had fully intended to slay him as well.
Mr Burke has described himself in interviews as a "strong-minded person" despite reliving the nightmare of 9 April 2022 every single day.
He gets bolts of intense physical pain where he was stabbed and blinded in one eye.
And the profound psychological scars of narrowly escaping murder, by a man he called a "coward and monster," will shadow him for life.
In his victim impact statement, he said: "I spent 49 years suppressing my sexuality, but then I had no choice when I was attacked, due to my sexuality."
Time and again, people on the streets of Sligo expressed deep concern that Palani would be released in less than 20 years.
Damien Tansey, who runs a solicitor practice in the town, said: "Palani got 20 years for two horrific murders and a violent assault on a third man.
"He actually got 20 years for each but to run concurrently.
"Many local people are concerned that it was effectively 20 years whether it was one murder or two and a sentence for assault.
"The worry is that he could be out in 20 years and perhaps sooner for good conduct. Here in Sligo people have very real fears that Yousef Palani could kill again."
Mr Moffit and Mr Snee were very well liked and respected in their local community.
Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan commended gardaí in Sligo for bringing about a successful prosecution and said the crimes were horrendous acts on innocent and decent people.
He said: "Aidan Moffitt was a friend and a colleague within the Fine Gael party who I know was motivated and involved in politics to advance the cause of Sligo and this country.
"Unfortunately, he was taken from us in a cruel way and while we mourn his loss it is nothing to the loss his mother and extended family feel at this time."
Deputy Feighan also thanked Mr Burke for his bravery and said his intervention ensured the crimes in Sligo were not significantly worse.
This week, the family and friends of Mr Snee were said to be broken-hearted and their pain immeasurable.
Arthur Gibbons, a Sinn Féin councillor and former mayor of Sligo Borough, is a personal friend of the Snee family.
Speaking at his home in Sligo, he described the devastation caused by the murder of Mr Snee.
He said: "Michael Snee was a quiet, reserved man who was loved by all. His father is well into his 80s and I'll be dropping by to see how he is holding up in the next day or two.
"They are a decent, working-class family who are utterly broken.
"One of his sisters has since died. This was the act of a depraved, evil human being who committed brutal, savage crimes.
"I hope Yousef Palani never sees the light of day but I'm disgusted to think he could be out in less than 20 years."
Atlantic Technological University Sligo students, Robin Carroll, who is from South Africa, and Katie Orm, from England, are struggling to process what happened here in the town: "This man is 23, similar in age to us. He has ruined his life, for what?
"And he has savagely killed two older men and taken the eye out of the other poor man who barely escaped with his life."
Ms Carroll said she came to Ireland because it is safer than South Africa
She said: "I'm more comfortable here than in my home country because I can live a lifestyle that's true to me.
"But I would still be wary of approaching people unless I knew them. Ireland is supposed to be a country that is accepting of different communities and what that entails.
"How can people feel free to come out as themselves in the aftermath of these depraved, sickening crimes.
"It's extreme but it filters down and still hangs heavy over everybody. People will be afraid to communicate their feelings, their real selves because of what happened."
Philip Murphy was showing a visitor around town when I caught up with the two men.
Manfred Flynn-Kuhnert is from Los Angeles, California, and is visiting Sligo for the first time. He was visibly shaken when he learned about what unfolded in the town last year.
He said: "It sounds like a heartbreaking situation and deeply shocking. I'm a gay man in a very happy 25-year relationship with my partner Peter who is in America right now.
"I'm so lucky and blessed to live and work between London and LA where I'm completely accepted for who I am.
"I believe in a benevolent humanity and I'm fortunate that for most of my life I've only encountered warmth and generosity from people of all walks of life.
"I travel extensively and across every ethnicity, across every religion, I consistently find a great kindness in people.
"I practice that way of being myself so it's tragic when one learns of such a terrible sadness."
Mr Murphy reflected on the crimes that Sligo Superintendent Barry Doyle said impacted not just Sligo, but repulsed the nation as a whole.
He said: "It's a horrific incident that could have happened anywhere in the world but it occurred here on our patch.
"It was harrowing for poor Anthony Burke to have to come out in this gut-wrenching fashion, but equally it was the only way to advance the investigation and to protect the gay community.
"Thanks to Anthony, gardaí were able to contact vulnerable individuals and warn them to be on their guard.
"There was a pattern emerging in this brutal killing spree, but it was unfortunate that it meant a lot of people living anonymous gay lives had to be outed.
"And you know, they shouldn't have to be outed. In truth they should be allowed live their lives as gay people in the community and be accepted.
"It's a pity we're still at that stage that people have to 'not be out' so to speak."
Sligo Pride declined to be interviewed, but Dr Douglas Marques issued a brief statement.
He said: "Out of respect for the victims, their families, and every member of this community that was so traumatically affected by this incident, we will graciously refuse the interview invitation.
"Sligo Pride will continue its focus in working for the well-being of its community to heal from the traumas of the past."
"The brutal attack on these two men and the attack on Anthony, serve as a stark reminder that prejudice and violence still persist in society.
Rob Partridge, a member of the LGBTI+Staff Network organisation, said: "Despite this verdict, the LGBTI+ community remains acutely aware of the persistent challenges and threats we face.
"The brutal attack on these two men and the attack on Anthony, serve as a stark reminder that prejudice and violence still persist in society.
"This continued sense of vulnerability affects not only those who are openly part of the community but also those who may still be concealing their identity, including the older generation who may still feel unsafe in society and unwilling, through fear of discrimination, to live their true lives.
"The grief and loss experienced by the families of the victims cannot be understated. The pain they endure is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred and bigotry.
"It is essential that we offer our deepest sympathies to the families of Michael and Aidan and to Anthony for what he went through.
"Hopefully they may find some solace in the knowledge that justice has been served."
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LGBT Ireland has called for hate crime legislation to be enacted as a matter of urgency.
Their CEO, Paula Fagan, said: "The hate crimes committed by Yousef Palani were horrendous and had a devastating impact.
"Today’s sentencing is another milestone in what has been a dark chapter for the families, friends and wider community.
"The murders and the attack had a significant impact on the LGBTQI+ community in Sligo, the northwest and across the island.
"When people are targeted because of their identity, it has a profound effect on the entire community.
"We once again call on the Government and the Oireachtas to pass the Hate Crime Bill and to proactively tackle hate with a national action plan.
"This issue must be taken seriously. We need a robust response.
In a week that brought the most grotesque and sickening detail to the fore, these homophobic crimes have shattered lives and raised so many questions about deep-seated hatred and prejudice that manifests in acts of evil.
Yet time and again communities move forward.
Already in Sligo, people spoke to me about healing and compassion.
They spoke about supporting one another in times of excruciating, unbearable grief.
Before leaving Sligo, I meet a group of young gay people who are living authentic lives and who make themselves available to offer guidance and advice to those who are still on their own personal journey.
SMILY LGBT+ youth group meet each week in Sligo to offer a safe space for teenagers aged 14-18.
One of the 16-year-old members agreed to talk to me anonymously.
Read more: Palani jailed for life for murder of two gay men in Sligo
They said: "I came out in early 2021 and my family were very supportive. But I had a lot of anxiety in the buildup.
"I'm still wary of where I go when I'm socialising. I get nervous at times but overall, I'm very fortunate to live in Sligo because most of the people I encounter have our back.
"What happened to those older gay men was grotesque and horrible and it really shook people to the core.
"But it could have happened anywhere and I don't want it to reflect badly on this area.
"We've come so far over the past 50 years and we're part of society like everybody else.
"What we do is bring a fresh perspective on the right of individuals to be who they are, on ways of being that are fully accepted and tolerated.
"We're gay and we're here to stay and Sligo is a great place to live."
