The murder of two men within days of each other in county Sligo has shocked the country.
Gardai have launched separate investigations into the murders of both men who were assaulted in their own homes.
Michael Snee, 58 and Aidan Moffit, 41, died after sustaining "significant injuries" in the two brutal attacks. However, gardai say they are keeping an open mind and will be investigating whether it was hate-related motivations that led to the killings.
Gardai arrested a man, 20s, on Wednesday afternoon.
Here's a timeline of the shocking events.
Monday, April 11 - Body of Aidan Moffit found
On Monday evening at around 8.30pm, gardai were alerted to the discovery of the body of a man, aged in his late 30s, in a house.
Gardai launched a probe after the body of Aidan Moffitt was found in his home in the Cartron area.
The scene was preserved for a technical exam by the State Pathologist.
Monday evening - Community in mourning as tributes paid
Flowers were left outside the house of Aidan Moffitt as the community mourned the tragic loss.
A picture was attached to flowers with a note that read: "Rest in peace Aidan! Thanks for everything over the years. You'll not be forgotten!! #Hero."
On Monday night, the body remained at the scene, and the Garda Technical Bureau began conducting a technical examination.
The services of the Office of the State Pathologist were requested.
Tuesday afternoon - Body removed from the scene as more details emerge
The body was removed from the house on Tuesday afternoon and taken to University Hospital Sligo, where a post mortem will take place.
The victim was officially named as 41-year-old auctioneer and Fine Gael activist Aidan Moffitt.
Aidan was a well respected local businessman. He ran an auctioneering business and provided advice on mortgages and pensions.
He was a Fine Gael activist who had previously campaigned alongside the party's Sligo-Leitrim TD Frank Feighan.
Further details of the killing emerged as it was confirmed that Aidan's body was discovered with "significant physical injuries." It is understood the remains were mutilated with horrific neck injuries.
Garda forensic officers spent Tuesday combing the area for clues and said they were following two specific lines of inquiry.
Tuesday night - Gardai say they are investigating a hate-related motive
In an update on Tuesday night, a Garda spokesperson said: "Gardai are actively investigating as to whether there is any hate related motive to this murder.
"Gardai are also actively investigating whether the deceased met his attacker online."
They also appealed for anyone with any information on the murder to make contact.
A spokesperson said: "Investigating gardai are appealing for any person who was in Cartron Heights or the general Cartron area on the afternoon of Monday April 11, 2022 up to 8.30pm and who saw anything which drew their attention, to contact investigating gardai."
Late Tuesday night - The body of a second man is discovered at Sligo home
Gardai and emergency services were called to an apartment at Connaughton Road in Sligo at 10.30pm on Tuesday night.
They discovered the body of a man in his 50s - now known to be Michael Snee, 58 - who had sustained "significant physical injuries".
Gardai preserved the scene in order to carry out a forensic exam, and the man's body remained at the property.
A post mortem will be carried out later today, which will assist in the course of the criminal investigation.
Wednesday morning - Further evidence emerges
On Wednesday morning, investigating gardai said they believe Aidan may have been dead for up to a day before his body was discovered.
The popular Fine Gael activist was last seen socialising on Sunday, but it's understood a number of friends were unable to reach Aidan by telephone on Monday.
Gardai believe the businessman, a Peace Commissioner who lived alone, may have been attacked on Sunday night with a very sharp implement, around 24-hours before he was discovered.
A source said: "Aidan was very well-liked and friendly. Very well respected.
"He was out on Sunday evening and he may have told people he had an appointment but nobody knows what that appointment was [or whether it's connected].
"The nature of his work meant that he may have sometimes worked from home.
"The injuries he sustained to his neck were horrendous."
It's understood another man was recently stabbed in the eye in Sligo, and gardai are exploring whether there is any connection to the attack on Mr Moffitt, who was originally from Ballaghadereen, Co Roscommon.
It is also understood that CCTV footage at the house is being examined by gardai.
One line of enquiry is that Aidan may have met someone online. Sources said he was last active on his phone on Sunday afternoon.
Wednesday afternoon - Man aged in his 20s arrested
A young man has been arrested after the body of Micahel Snee was discovered at his home in Sligo.
The man, who is in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday morning.
At around 1.45am, following "intense local garda activity and enquiries", gardai in Sligo, assisted by the Armed Support Unit, arrested a man in his early 20s in Sligo Town on suspicion of murder.
The man is currently detained under the provision of section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Sligo Garda Station.
Gardai are appealing for anyone with information on this incident to come forward.
Wednesday afternoon - Gardai launch separate investigations
In an update, gardai confirmed that two separate murder investigations were under way.
Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken said: "Michael and Aidan were well known and respected in this community. They were assaulted and murdered in their own homes.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this time and indeed their friends and the wider community in Sligo."
Family Liaison Officers have been provided to both men's families, and an incident room has been established at Sligo garda station.
Both scenes remain sealed off as the Garda Technical Bureau conducts detailed forensic examinations.
A post mortem was carried out on the remains of Aidan Moffitt at University Hospital Sligo on Tuesday, while an exam is due to take place on the remains of Michael Snee on Wednesday.
Supt Glackin said gardai would not be releasing any details of the post mortem examination for operational reasons.
He said: "We continue to retain an open mind in this investigation.
"I would like to thank the community for their cooperation and assistance so far, information received from across the community continues to assist us in our investigation. It is heartening to see such cross community support at this time.
"I continue to appeal to the public for their assistance in that regard."
READ MORE: Who was Aidan Moffitt? Friends describe man found dead in Sligo as one who 'lit up the world'
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