Mary O’Connell (née Foynes), Alta Villa, Clieveragh, Listowel, Co. Kerry and formerly of Clonaslee died peacefully at home surrounded by her heartbroken family on Saturday 14 December.

Mary Carroll (née Parkinson), Killamuck, Abbeyleix passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Friday 13 December.

THE first ever cook book compiled by members of the Laois Traveller Action Group (LTAG) will be launched on Tuesday 17 December.

PRESSURE is growing for the restoration of an axed bus service from Portarlington to Kildare Village, after an announcement that only half the route will be reinstated.

The offences are alleged to have taken place on the town's Main Street.

A DRIVER who crashed into a petrol station and caused thousands of euros worth of damage was given a custodial sentence and put off the road for two years when he appeared before a recent sitting of Carlow District Court.

Kathleen Kennedy (née Scully), Lacca, Mountrath passed away unexpectedly on Thursday 12 December. Kathleen was predeceased by her loving husband Sean and her brother Michael.

John Maher, Treascon House, Portarlington died suddenly but very peacefully at home with his wife Liz at his side on Thursday 12 December. Loving son of the late John and Ida.

Delia Murphy (née O' Shaughnessy), Sheffield House Aughanure, Ballylinan died unexpectedly at her home on Thursday 12 December. Delia was predeceased by her parents William and Bridget.

A LEARNER driver speeding on dangerously worn tyres was arrested by Laois gardaí today, after testing positive for cocaine and cannabis. The car was seized and towed away from the M7 motorway, while the driver was arrested at the scene.

GREENERY around the picturesque canal in Vicarstown has been scorched due to excessive spraying and is “like a lunar landscape”, according to a local councillor.

ANOTHER round of artist and groups have been added to the Forest Fest line up that takes place from Friday to Sunday 25 to 27 July.

"It would be a great education tool and a great way of recycling. It could also be a revenue stream for schools,” said the councillor.

AN adorable toddler's life-saving transplant has been postponed for a week, as she fights an infection following pre-transplant surgery.

Martin Mahony, Dereen, Durrow passed away peacefully on Wednesday 11 December surrounded by his loving family in the excellent care of the matron and staff of Kilminchy Lodge Nursing Home, Portlaoise.

Kathleen (Kitty) Butler (née Bates), Droimnín Nursing Home, Stradbally and formerly of Timahoe passed away peacefully in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise in her 90th year on Thursday 12 December.

GARDA Lisa Murray served a book of evidence on a man who is charged with two counts of sexual assault when he came before Portlaoise District Court last week.

MANY toppled trees that blocked roads in Laois during Storm Darragh were already dangerous and should have been felled well in advance of the storm, a local councillor has claimed.

Nicole Doyle, the 15-years-old who was reported missing in Portlaoise on Sunday evening 8 December has been located by gardaí.An Garda Síochána would like to thank the public for their assistance.

A MEN’S Shed has been proposed for the old fire station in Stradbally, after it is replaced by a new station that is currently under construction.