The twenty-two years old man charged with the murder of two other men and causing serious harm to a third in Sligo Town within the past week is to appear again in court via video link next Thursday, April 21st.
Yousef Palani, with an address of 10 Markievicz Heights, Sligo, was brought before Sligo District Court yesterday evening.
He is charged with murdering Aidan Moffitt on April 10th last at No 4 Cartron Heights, Sligo; with murdering Michael Snee on April 12th at No 24 City View Apartments, Connaughton Road, Sligo; and with causing serious harm to Anthony Burke on April 9th last at Cleveragh, Sligo.
Detective Garda Conor Jordan gave evidence of arresting the accused yesterday, (April 14th) at Sligo Garda Station and charging him with murdering Aidan Moffitt.
Detective Garda Jordan told the court that after Palani was cautioned, he made no reply to the charge.
Garda Gary Conneely gave evidence of arresting the accused and charging him with the murder of Michael Snee.
After Palani was cautioned by Garda Conneely, he replied: ‘No, I understand that, Gary.’
Garda Kevin O’Hora gave evidence of arresting Palani at Sligo Garda Station and charging him with recklessly causing serious harm to Anthony Burke
After caution, the accused made no reply to that charge.
Solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern told Judge Sandra Murphy that there would be no application for bail.
However, he asked that it be marked that the accused be put on suicide watch by the prison service.
Mr McGovern also asked that the accused be immediately assessed by a psychiatrist attached to the prison service or by ‘one from Dundrum.’
He asked that this request be marked as ‘urgent.’
Judge Murphy directed that all medical assistance necessary be given.
Applying for legal aid, Mr McGovern said the accused was unemployed and was not in a position to deal with the charges.
He added that the issue of junior and senior counsel would be dealt with later.
During the hearing, the accused, with dark hair and beard and wearing a grey sweat pants and top, sat impassively in the courtroom. At the end of the hearing, he consulted briefly with his solicitor.
He had earlier been taken in a police van the short distance from Sligo Garda Station down Teeling Street and in through a gateway to a side-entrance to the courthouse about 4:35pm.
For about an hour before the 4:45pm hearing, people had been gathering along the roadside outside the courthouse.
By the time the hearing was over, that crowd had grown substantially as they waited to see the accused being driven away.
