John (Jackie) Drea, Ridge Rd, Portlaoise and late of Carlow and Athy died on 4 June, following a short illness.

A VILLAGE footpath that suffers regular flooding was described as “atrocious” at a council meeting.

A PORTLAOISE councillor has requested a meeting with Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell, after shocking revelations about the treatment of elderly residents in a local nursing home.

A BALLYLINAN man with ten previous convictions has been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for stealing a caravan, which was never recovered.

GARDAÍ in Laois are appealing for information after a terrifying car chase, which ended in a crash on a rural road. Three occupants of a black 2008 Seat Ibiza fled through fields following the crash but were eventually tracked down and arrested.

FOUR areas in Laois that welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries will share more than €260,000 for new community facilities.

LARGE stones have been stolen from an old bridge in Laois, as passersby take “a fancy” to traditional stonemasons’ expert work.

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.

TO CELEBRATE Criunniú na nÓg, the national day of creativity for children and young people, Laois le Chéile festival will be held in Portlaoise on Saturday 7 June.

THE operators of a Portlaoise nursing home have issued an apology to elderly residents and their families, amid distress and anger over appalling treatment that was exposed in an RTÉ Prime Time Investigates programme last night.

FOUR areas in Laois that welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries will share more than €260,000 for new community facilities.

HEALTH watchdog HIQA has halted admissions to a Laois nursing home, which featured in a shocking RTÉ Prime Time Investigates programme that exposed appalling treatment of elderly people.

Among the winning clubs were Cullahill and Ratheniska Foróige Clubs who won the Best Display Awards

A SCHOOLBOY who was sent for milk but ended up in a fight in an off-licence will have to wait to have his court case heard, after his co-defendant cousin failed to show up.

MOTORISTS are complaining about a local road that was described as “shambolic” at a council meeting. Cllr Conor Bergin said he received regular calls about the state of the L1514 road at Doon, between Borris-in-Ossory and Rathdowney.

A LAOIS farmer has been honoured for his unwavering life-time work and support with his local branch of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). Tommy Wilson has been an active member of the Vicarstown and Laois branch of the IFA for many years.

The book bags are available in both Irish and English.

A DANGEROUS junction outside a Laois village pub was described as “a death trap” at a council meeting. Cllr Ben Brennan made the comment, as he called for urgent road safety works at the junction near The Mall pub in Killeshin.

Mary passed away peacefully in Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross, Dubin.

ALMOST €900,000 was spent on private emergency accommodation for homeless people in Laois last year. A new plan presented in county hall shows that Laois Co Council spent €894,766 on emergency beds, mainly in hotels and B&Bs.