A PUBLIC information evening is taking place in Durrow for those opposed to plans that have been submitted to Laois County Council to convert two premises in the town to accommodate asylum seekers.

"I do not want my child walking out of work and coming across those scumbags,” said one woman at the meeting.

The information clinic takes place on Wednesday 23 July in Portlaoise Library.

There are cash prizes for winning entries with the top prize of €1,500 for one estate.

The local authority has no dedicated funding available, a council official said.

Pizza chain seeking permission to locate in Portlaoise Shopping Centre

Laois County Council tops the Irish league table for delivering social housing.

A LAOIS property owner is seeking permission to convert his premises to accommodate people seeking international protection under the IPAS Scheme.

The Folly Festival in Cullohill this coming Friday and Saturday 4 and 5 July.

The dog pound will also be extending its opening hours.

LOCAL residents and business owners from Mountrath attended an information evening in Bloom HQ on proposed works to Patrick Street and the River Walk.

MEMBERS from the Portlaoise Climate Alliance met for their first bi-annual session recently.

The town will be a hive of activity over the weekend.

A number of primary and secondary schools gathered recently for the presentation of Green School certificates in the Dunamaise Arts Centre.

The information session is free of charge to attend.

The school became the first one in the county to win this award.

They were recognised for their environmental efforts at the Green-Schools Awards ceremony.

FROM bats, moths, birds and squirrels to pearl mussels and meadows, they all came under the spotlight during various activities that took place in Laois throughout National Biodiversity Week.

The book bags are available in both Irish and English.

STAFF from several businesses around Portlaoise got on their bikes to take part in Bike Week. The Climate Action section of Laois County Council organised a business bike taster event and invited businesses in the town to take part.

A LOCAL TD has called for traffic calming measures to be installed in a number of locations along the N80 that runs through Laois.

A JAM-PACKED itinerary awaits those taking part in the 122 year running of the Gordon Bennett Classic Car Run that takes place from Thursday 30 May to Monday 2 June.

The event will look at the often underestimated risks of cyber threats for businesses

LOCAL TD Sean Fleming has announced that a €20,000 grant has been approved to upgrade the playground in Mountrath to include a major biodiversity element.

BALLYBROPHY Train Station was officially named ‘Age Friendly’ at a launch ceremony on Friday 2 May.

“People walking or in wheelchairs need to be able to get around the cemetery" - Cllr Marie Tuohy

A Laois councillor is calling for a review on the laws around electric scooter use

WITH summer underway and the sun splitting the trees, there’s never been a better time to hop on a bike! Bike Week 2025 is rolling into Laois from Saturday, May 10 to Sunday, 18 May 18, and with over 50 fun-filled, free events taking place across ...

Ten years ago, Leo Varadkar said the housing situation was a national emergency. This government has been continuously in power for the last ten years" - Cllr Marie Tuohy

LAOIS County Council staff are to keep on eye on the electric car charging parking spaces in the new car park at the Railway Station in Portlaoise to ensure motorists are not parking all day in the spaces.

The green field site for the new courthouse is located on lands behind the Aldi store, off James Fintan Lalor Avenue.

INFORMATION has been sought from the HSE following a recent report by the Land Development Agency that identified lands adjoining Saint Fintan’s Hospital in Portlaoise, that has the potential to realise up to 960 homes.

War of words over tree and hedge cutting in Laois blows up like wildfire

THE identity of an unknown man who converted his e-scooter into a ‘capsule’ that ‘goes like a missile’ has locals in Rathdowney flummoxed.

Planning permission will be sought for the development at the Presentation Convent Chapel along Main Street, Stradbally.

A PEDESTRIAN crossing is needed to be upgraded or manned at one of the largest primary schools in Laois.

The councillor said that during Storm Éowyn a Beech tree fell across the road in the estate.

HEBRON Mooncoin Limited said that it intends to apply to Laois County Council for permission to construct 74 new residential dwellings along the Mountmellick Road on the N80 in Portlaoise.

A NEWLY named ‘Local Community Safety Partnership’ that replaced Joint Policing Committees (JPC) will come into operation within the next few weeks.

"While there’s plenty of opportunities to harvest trees, our public amenity areas should be protected,” said one councillor.

THERE appears to be no room, or very little room, at the inn for seven councillors in Laois when it comes to them, meeting ahead of council meetings. Laois County Council comprises of 19 councillors.

'It’s time for the Government to put it’s money where it’s mouth is in terms of mental health and wellbeing.' - cllr Marie Tuohy.

OVER 2,000 attendees are expected to attend this year’s Live Well Health and Wellbeing Expo in Portlaoise on Wednesday 23 April. The Expo is free of charge to attend and is delivered through a partnership between Age Friendly Laois and Healthy Laois.