A man is due in court this afternoon charged in connection with the killings of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee.

The two men were separately found dead in their homes in County Sligo on Monday and Tuesday of this week.

They had both suffered severe injuries and Gardaí are investigating whether there was a hate-crime motivation to the attacks.

A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of murder hours after Mr Snee was found dead on Tuesday.

This afternoon, Gardai investigating the deaths said they had charged the man.

He is due before Sligo District Court this afternoon at 4.45pm.

Yesterday, Aidan Moffitt was remembered by one of his close friends as somebody “who lit up the world when you were around him”.

Gardaí have been investigating whether both men met their killer online – and have urged anyone using dating apps to take extra caution.

They are appealing to anyone in the Sligo area who may have been “subject to any unwanted approaches or who was assaulted or otherwise attacked in recent days” to contact them.

This afternoon, the Taoiseach offered his deepest sympathies to both men's families.

“It is horrific what has happened and I want to offer my deepest sympathies to the families of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee,” he said.

“It is barbaric what has happened. It is beyond comprehension. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”