The Irish property community was deeply saddened at the news on November 26th of the sudden death of Gorey auctioneer William Gerard Slattery, while on holiday in Tenerife with his wife Kay. He had celebrated his 60th birthday on November 17th.

Gerry - as he was known to colleagues and friends - came to Gorey from County Limerick. He was held in great affection by the local business community as well as by his auctioneering colleagues. A keen sporting enthusiast, his innate honesty and a keen sense of humour were Gerry's strongest attributes.

He is remembered by all who knew him as a man who was tall in both stature and integrity. His 1998/99 presidency of the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute was marked by a courageous speech at the Institute's national conference at Waterford in March 1999, in which he reminded estate agents of their responsibility to look after purchasers as well as vendors.

During the speech, the then IAVI president also cautioned members against greed, in an era when profits were at an all-time high. According to staff at the IAVI, he was "probably the nicest and most honourable man" they have ever worked with.

Gerard Slattery arrived in Gorey from Herbertstown, Co Limerick in the 1960s and joined George W Warren Estates as a young apprentice. The company specialised in both property and cattle auctioneering when Gerry was learning the trade. The latter aspect of the business won him respect among the farming community in Gorey.

As a result of friendships forged at this time, many of the major land sales in the area over the intervening years were negotiated by Gerard on behalf of the company. He took over the business in both Enniscorthy and Gorey when George Warren died in the 1980s.

Gerry married Kathleen (Kay) Nolan from Bagenalstown, Co Carlow in 1967. They had five children and Ciara, the second eldest, now manages the Gorey office.

At school in Roscrea, Gerry excelled at sports. He later played with the famous Garryowen rugby team on the wings and won the 60-yard sprint at an all-Ireland championship event, held that year in Gorey. Sport of all kinds was his abiding passion. He was founder member and the first captain of the Gorey Rugby club in 1969 and a former captain of Courtown Golf club. Horse racing and breeding was a strong interest and he rarely missed Cheltenham or Punchestown. He will be sorely missed by the Island Hunt, with which he had a long association.

Gerard is survived by his widow Kay, their five children Niall, Ciara, Shane, Eimear and Gearoid and his sister Anne.