Fears raised after couple missed Sunday Mass

PATRICK Sleator was last seen when a local gave him a lift home from Moore’s pub in Grangecon on Friday night.

Neighbours became worried when his parents, Mary and John Joe Sleator, both in their 80s, did not turn up for Mass on Sunday, which was very uncharacteristic for the religious couple.

Mary was a retired primary school teacher and had taught in the Dunlavin Primary School 8km from their home.

John Joe worked on the family farm until the day of his death.

Patrick, who was in his early 40s, was still living with his parents. He had worked on the farm until recently, while also owning his own hire business, cutting hay and silage for other farmers.

In recent years, he gave up farming to fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming a metal sculptor. One of his works, a giant hound sculpture, was recently purchased by Wicklow County Council and is on display in Avondale House, the birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell.

Locals said he was very popular. The village is said to be “gobsmacked” at the news.

People said that they seemed to be a happy family.

“He was very nice and didn’t seem to have any problems, he was never in trouble before.

“There was no signs of this coming. A friend who was with him in the pub on Friday night said he was in great form,” said one neighbour.

Pat was the middle child and had two sisters, Carol and Deirdre. One of the siblings is living in England while the other is living in Waterford.

His parents were members of the Baltinglass Golf Club, where Mary was recently the Ladies’ Captain.