Gardai say the results of a post mortem examination on the body of a man found dead yesterday evening in a house on the outskirts of Sligo town will determine the course of their investigation.
He has been named as Aidan Moffitt, a financial planner and/auctioneer/valuer originally from Lisacul, near Ballaghadereen in Co Roscommon, who was well known in the Sligo area, particularly in Fine Gael political circles.
The scene, at the entrance to the Cartron Heights estate, remains cordoned off with Gardai on duty to preserve the scene.
At about half past eight yesterday evening, gardai were alerted to the discovery of the body of the man in a house in the Cartron area.
Although gardai say the circumstances of the discovery are ‘unexplained,’ they add that the results of a post-mortem examination will determine the course of their investigation.
It is understood the man sustained catastrophic injuries during what is believed to have been a violent attack.
Members of the Garda Technical Bureau have been conducting an examination of the scene and the services of the Office of the State Pathologist have been requested.
The mayor of Sligo, Cllr. Arthur Gibbons, lives in the area.
He says people in a peaceful, quiet area, like Cartron, never expect to hear this news in their locality.
Among the first people on the scene early this morning to pay their respects was a visibly upset Minister of State and Sligo/Leitrim TD Frank Feighan, who personally knew the deceased.
After saying a prayer, Deputy Feighan spoke to Ocean FM News.
Local residents were visibly shocked over what had happened so close to them.
This man told how the news spread among residents yesterday evening and last night in the Cartron area.
One young man said what had happened was devastating, particularly following other violent incidents that have occurred this year in Sligo.
He added that the thoughts and prayers of everyone was now with the victim’s family.
Just after half past nine this morning, the first of a number of bouquets of flowers was left at the entrance gateway to the house, a silent tribute, a solemn expression of the heartfelt sentiments of all those struggling to come to terms with the terrible news in the midst.
