It was a big day out for five pupils from Scoil Fionntáin Naofa Shanahoe, who made their First Holy Communion on Saturday 3 May.

THREE gardaí in Laois have been given new appointments as part of a restructuring process in line with the ‘Policing Service for the Future’ plan.

LAOIS based Senator Maria McCormack said she wore a pair of shorts into the Seanad chamber “to stand in solidarity with camogie players across Ireland who are calling for the right to choose between wearing shorts or skorts during matches.

A BARRISTER told last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court that his client, who was exposed to mould poisoning from his house and car, had not taxed his car because it had been lying up for a prolonged period.

AN UNDER-12 soccer match in Carlow town had to be abruptly abandoned when a coach was violently headbutted in front of dozens of stunned children and parents.

Patrick (Pat) Scully, Stradbally and formerly of Kingswood Heights, Dublin passed away peacefully on Wednesday 7 May after a long illness, bravely borne with great dignity in the loving and devoted care of all the staff in Saint Bridget’s Nursing ...

THIS May, US Senator Bernie Sanders and social worker and activist Jane O’Meara Sanders will visit Athy to launch the next plaque in the 'Made of Athy' series. The event will take place in Athy on May 24 at St Michael’s Cemetery at 4pm.

THE Travelling community in Laois is calling for youth work schemes to better meet the needs of their young people.

Vincent (Vinny) Rafter, Rathfarnham, Dublin and formerly Kyledellig, Clough passed away peacefully on Monday 5 May after a short illness at St James’s Hospital, Dublin. Vincent was the beloved husband of Annette.

THE hugely popular annual Music at the Malthouse festival makes a welcome return to Stradbally this year.

A DUBLIN based company BNRG has announced its intention to seek planning permission for a 32MW solar farm on 52 hectares (128 acres) of land that straddles the Laois/Kildare border.

MEMBERS of the St Stephen's Day group in Clonaslee recently presented a cheque for €33,699 to the Laois Hospice Foundation, proceeds of their fundraising walk on 26 December last.

THE hugely popular Fisherstown Tractor and Truck Run makes a welcome return this year with organisers promising a bigger and better event than ever.

AN EMPLOYEE of the Prison Service who is applying to join the gardaí was convicted of motoring offences at last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

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.

Abbeyleix and Rathdowney gardai along with local emergency services attended a single-vehicle crash on the R435 - Rathdowney to Johnstown Road at Ballybuggy, earlier today.

Joseph (Joe) Fitzpatrick, Murroe Wood, Murroe, Co. Limerick and formerly of Kyldelligh, Rathdowney passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family on Sunday 4 May at University Hospital Limerick.

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s initiative, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns welcomes the return of its ‘No Mow May’ pollinator lawn art competition’ for 2025. This year's competition will once again celebrate creativity, community spirit and biodiversity.

JUDGE Susan Fay issued an bench warrant for the arrest of a Portarlington man who failed to appear at last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

Laois fashionistas put their best stilettos forward when ii came to the fashion stakes at last week's Punchestown Racing Festival.