I’m Back! ‘Claus’ for celebration as missing Leavy’s Santa is found

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“It went missing in January 2015 when we were getting some extensive building work done. We had things packed up in boxes to be removed while the work took place.”

Dermot added: “Santy must have been packed up too and put in a box and removed. We didn’t notice he was missing until five days later.

“I didn’t do anything about it at the time but the following year I launched a campaign to get Santy back.

“I put a notice up in the store window seeking information on his whereabouts. I never believed he had gone to landfill.”

He continued: “I knew that if someone opened a box and found him that they would keep him.

“It wasn’t until earlier this year that we got word of a possible sighting. I wanted proof so I asked for photographs.

“I wasn’t interested in seeing photographs of Santy in a white, plain background or in the window as I had those photographs already.”

Dermot said that two photographs of the electrical Santy were sent to his phone and he knew instantly it was his beloved missing Santy.

The Santy was finally re- turned home to Dermot at Leavy’s Pharmacy on Saturday, February 18.

“We are thrilled he is finally back with us. He was in box that said do not throw out and it had a letter written to my father from a Mrs O’neill in Ravensdale detailing her childhood memories of Santy,” he said.

“unfortunately, we didn’t get the letter back. We will have him on display in

Leavy’s window until the end of the week,” he said.

“He has had an MOT by a technician who has rewired him. I feel a great sense of responsibility because my grandfather bought him and my Dad looked after him.

“He went missing on my watch. He’s spanning generations in Dundalk. He will be back on display in november 2023, just before Thanksgiving.”