In Sligo, a 23-year-old man was sentenced to two lifetimes in prison for murdering two men.

The court heard that Gardaí (police) believed Palani’s motivation was prejudice against homosexuals.

Palani, who has an address in Sligo at Markievicz Heights, denied that this was true.

The murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee in Sligo last year were committed by him. He pleaded guilty in July to the crimes.

On 9 April, he admitted intentionally causing serious harm to Anthony Burke. A stab wound to the eye was sustained by Mr Burke.

There were 43 stab wounds on the decapitated head of one murder victim, the court heard.

A second man was stabbed 25 times, mainly to the head, neck, and chest.

It was explained to the court that Palani had mental health issues following his arrest by Gardai (police).

His victims had to be Irish and live alone when he looked for them under the pretense of dating.

A variety of gay dating apps and social media messaging services have been used by him to connect with his victims.

“It would have to be their own house, and they would have to be alone. You can’t harm children or women,” he told the officers.

During the arrest, he denied being gay, claiming homosexuality was “a sin, and you won’t find many Muslims who are gay and religious”.

In addition, he said, “I was mentally ill at this time, I heard voices, and I was told what to do by them.”.