Pat to leave Fair City cast after 22 years

Laura Butler

FAIR CITY veteran Pat Nolan is leaving Carrigstown after 22 years on the hit show but bosses are leaving the door wide open for a return.

It has been revealed that the actor who plays Barry O'Hanlon on the RTE soap will not be killed off.

"Pat's been there since the beginning of Fair City. He's had some amazing roles and different storylines and this has been a huge one this year," said an RTE spokesperson.

"His final scenes for the time being are this Sunday -- Barry is now locked up in jail.

murder

"He has been arrested and charged with murder and because he pleaded guilty there is no going to trial.

"He's not dead, we don't know the future -- no-one knows," an insider added.

Despite his absence from the week-night show, Pat has said he did not host a leaving do with his co-stars: "I didn't have a going away party. I won't say soap heaven because I'm not being killed off," said the Dubliner.

hnews@herald.ie