Post mortems due on Co Wicklow bodies

Post mortem examinations are due to be carried out on the bodies of three people who were found dead in a farmhouse in Co Wicklow yesterday.

The bodies of John-Joe Sleator, his wife Mary - who were both in their 80s - and their 43-year-old son Patrick, were found in their home in Grangecon at around 11am yesterday morning.

Two rifles were recovered from the scene and gardaí say they are not looking for anyone at present in connection with the deaths.

Gardaí say Pat Sleator was last seen alive on Saturday morning.

It is understood that a neighbour discovered the bodies at the family home yesterday morning. Concerns were raised when the family, who were regular church-goers, failed to attend Sunday mass and also failed to collect their paper at the local shop.

Following a forensic examination of the scene, their bodies were removed last night to the Dublin City morgue.

The Sleators are survived by two daughters, one of whom lives in Britain.

Meanwhile, prayers will be said at St Joseph's Church in Baltinglass today for the family.

The parish priest, Fr Tommie Dillon, said the small community of Grangecon had been devastated by the news.

Last night, a represenative of the Sleator family issued a statement asking for privacy.

The statement read: 'The tragic deaths of Mr John Joe Sleator, his wife Mary and son Patrick, has shocked their immediate family.

'The family need time to come to grips with this appalling tragedy and would ask the media to allow them some consideration and privacy so that they can deal with their grief and loss.'