TWO courageous Laois firefighters were honoured with awards today for their sterling service and dedication. John Clooney from Durrow Fire Station received his long service award, marking 20 years with Laois County Fire & Rescue Service.

Cecelia Marshall (née Healion), Kilfoylan, Moate, Offaly and formerly Mountmellick, Laois died on 11 November, in the loving care of the staff at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.

Elizabeth (Betty) Harvey (née Carter), Tullyroe, Abbeyleix, Laois died peacefully on 12 November at the Regional Hospital Portlaoise, surrounded by her loving family. Predeceased by her husband Arthur and sisters Vera, Effie and Violet.

FEAR is rising in Mountmellick this morning as flood waters seep through vulnerable sections of the town. Manor Road and Irishtown are among the areas hit by flooding and are on high alert, as county council staff work to pump away rising water.

This is a very important event for Portlaoise town at Christmas time

THE man whose turkey farm in County Carlow was struck by bird flu last week has described the forced destruction of 5,000 turkeys as “heartbreaking”.

A THIRD man has been arrested in Laois as part of the ongoing cross-border terrorism investigation. Gardaí confirmed shortly after 10pm tonight that a third male was arrested this afternoon and has been detained for questioning.

AN OLD post office looks set to enjoy a new lease of life, with plans to convert the long-vacant building into a large café/restaurant.

MORE than 80 adults who have returned to education shared their inspirational stories at a gathering in Portlaoise this week.

WORK is about to start on a €95,000 makeover for one of the largest public playgrounds in Laois.

Pauline Conroy (née Crossan), Marian Ave, Portlaoise, Laois died peacefully on 11 November, surrounded by her loving family. Beloved wife of the late Stephen. Dearly loved mother to John, Gerry, Mary, Tina, Stephen, Paula, Michael and Martin .

PORTLAOISE has become the first town in Ireland where all schools are working together on a Green Schools Travel theme at the same time.

A CARLOW District Court hearing descended into the bizarre as a man detailed allegations that his neighbour had breached a civil restraining order by banging bricks together, “howling like a witch”, and conducting conversations with her dog about ...

MY advice to anyone, is if you have you an idea about something, go for it”, said Richie Kavanagh in an interview at the launch of his new book Craic, Stories and Songs.

The court heard that the defendant is currently serving a prison sentence

A WARNING has been issued to motorists as a Laois road is closed due to flooding this evening. The road from Coolrain to Camross is impassable due to heavy floods.

A LAOIS playground has closed until further notice due to flooding, following heavy rainfall overnight. Mountmellick public playground in Irishtown, beside the Owenass river, closed its front gates this afternoon.

Br. James Theo Dunne (Christian Brothers), Cowper Care, St Patrick's Care Centre, Baldoyle, Dublin and formerly Portarlington, Laois, passed away on 4 November. Br. Theo generously donated his body to medical science.

Caroline (Carol) Griffith (née Carter), Ossory Hill, Johnswell, Co Kilkenny and formerly of Upper Crubbin, Ballyroan, Laois passed away peacefully on 10 November, surrounded by her family, at St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny.

A NEW spark is lighting up the creative heart of Laois and it’s coming from the Dunamaise Arts Centre as the county’s cultural and creative hub recently welcomed its new chief executive officer - Ciara O’Connell.