The Festival of Gardens and Nature returns for its second outing to Ballintubbert Gardens and House, just outside Stradbally on Saturday and Sunday 3 and 4 May.

A MOTORIST who lost concentration while driving and collided with a ready-mix lorry was summoned before Portlaoise District Court for careless driving.

 A CHILD killed in a road traffic collision in Portlaoise last month was “an angel” loved by everyone, a vigil held in his honour was told.

Sean Wisely, proprietor of Nutgrove Sand & Gravel Ltd, Nutgrove, Rosenallis, Laois died peacefully on 20 March at the Regional Hospital Tullamore, surrounded by his heartbroken loving family. Beloved husband of the late Ina.

Philly White, Quigley Park, Rathdowney, Co Laois and recently Brookhaven Nursing Home, Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny died peacefully on 19 March, surrounded by his family, at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny.

AN IMPRESSIVE architect’s image of the planned new fire station in Stradbally has been released by Laois County Council, as the €3. 2m project gets a welcome green light to go to tender.

The death occurred of Peter Murray, Kilminchy and late of Bridge Street, Portlaoise on 17 March. Predeceased by his parents Peter and Kay, sons Kevin and Conor and brother Pat.

A BANNED driver trying to evade detection on back roads was arrested by Laois gardaí, who were on patrol in an unmarked squad car. The driver’s car was seized near Rosenallis village, after the culprit gave false details and proved to be disqualified.

Judge Cody said; "Stealing a packet of biscuits. It’s wasting a lot of money over a €2 packet of biscuits” 

Elizabeth (Lill) Boyhan, Currawn, Aghaboe, Ballacolla, LaoisLill passed away peacefully in her 95th year on 19 March, surrounded by her loving family and in the care of the staff at St. Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny.

Brian Lynch, 32 Chapel Street, Mountmellick died on 19 March in his 95th year.

Bord na Móna said it is looking forward to working with the local communities on the delivery of projects which will benefit the people living near to the wind farm.

STRADBALLY woman Ellen Deegan who is a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor is calling on the community to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day which takes place on Friday 28 March.

 A TEAM from Mountrath Community School scooped an award in a pioneering robotics competition.

FOUR primary schools in Laois are currently engaged in the Creative Schools programme, which this year has embraced a theme called ‘Make your mark’.

ART students from Heywood Community School enjoyed a fabulous trip to Italy this spring, when they viewed famous artworks and made magical memories along the way.

CLLR Aisling Moran suggested that as a way of tackling illegal dumping in Laois that property owners should be mandated to have refuse collection bins on their premises.

Eileen Ramsbottom, Saint Joseph’s Street, Limerick and formerly of Ballinaclough, Timahoe passed away peacefully on Tuesday 18 March at Millbrae Lodge Nursing Home, Newport, Co. Tipperary.

A MEMORIAL headstone for a six-year-old boy, who was among many destitute people buried in an unmarked pit in Abbeyleix, will be erected thanks to a fundraiser that surpassed its target within days.

The planned strike is due to take place on Wednesday and Thursday 2 and 3 April.