A MAN who allegedly raped a woman in a cemetery car park has been sent forward for trial to the present sittings of the Central Criminal Court. The man, aged in his 20s, is charged with two counts of rape and one of sexual assault.

SEWAGE is boiling up after heavy rainfalls in some driveways along Colliers Lane in Portlaoise and councillors want Uisce Éireann to resolve the problems.

A PORTLAOISE man was given a two-month suspended sentence for damaging a taxi when he came before the local district court.

Josephine, better known as Josie Flynn (née Lakes), Vicarstown and formerly of Old Leighlin, Co. Carlow died unexpectedly on Monday 24 March at her residence in her 95th year.

A USED condom and the smell of cannabis from a family car is alleged to have landed a man in court for allegedly breaking a domestic violence safety order. The man is accused of putting his wife in fear by shouting at her.

The death occurred unexpectedly on 24 March of Josephine, better known as Josie, Flynn (née Lakes), Vicarstown, Laois and formerly Old Leighlin, Co Carlow, at her residence in her 95th year.

Mildred Ward (née Ray), Cullohill, Laois/ Nahanna, Rathangan, Offaly/ Rathangan, Kildare Formerly of Aughmacart, Cullohill, Laois, Mildred died peacefully at Naas Hospital.

A GARDA appeal has been launched for a 13-year-old girl who is missing from her home in Portlaoise. Gardaí are appealing to the public for assistance in locating Ariana Jenkins, who was reported missing on Monday, 24 March.

See more photos from the day in this week's Laois Nationalist newspaper THE children of Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyleix were delighted to lead the community in the national event, Walk for Water on Friday 21 March.

John (Frederick) Kennedy, Church Street, Rathdowney and formerly Timogue and Ballycoolan, Stradbally died peacefully on Tuesday 25 March at Oakdale Nursing Home, Portarlington. Predeceased by his parents, brothers Robert (Bob) and Larry.

'We may not be able to control people’s driving behavior but maybe we might be able to slow them down' - cllr Barry Walsh.

The death occurred on 24 March of James (Seamus) Francis, Moyvilla, Oranmore, Galway and formerly of Mountmellick, Laois and Dangan, Galway, peacefully in the loving care of The Little Flower Nursing Home, Labane.

A PORTLAOISE councillor again complained about broken pedestrian crossing traffic lights at Portlaoise College when local councillors met for their March meeting.

Paddy Kealey, Sheffield Cross, Portlaoise, Co Laois passed away peacefully on 25 March, surrounded by his loving family. Predeceased by his wife Mary.

In connection with a report from Portlaoise District Court in our 18 March edition, titled ‘Woman charged with stealing €2 package of biscuits’, we wish to clarify that the correct address of defendant Mary Lou Nevin (28) is 21 Grove Park, ...

The Laois based professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter was charged with a motoring offence.

Denis Geraghty, 3 The Glebe, Rathdowney and formerly Santry, Co. Dublin (ex-British Embassy) passed away peacefully surrounded by those who loved him on Sunday 23 March. Denis was predeceased by his beloved wife Marie and his brothers and sisters.

Daniel (Dan) Dargan, Carn, Portarlington died on Sunday 23 March after a short illness at Saint James’s Hospital, Dublin surrounded by his loving and heartbroken family. Daniel was predeceased by his son Nathan Dargan.

Brian Carroll, Castlegate, Portarlington and formerly of Rathangan County Kildare died suddenly at his residence on Saturday 22 March. Brian was the loving son of the late Ricard (Dick).

Denis Geraghty, 3 The Glebe, Rathdowney and formerly Santry, Co. Dublin (ex-British Embassy) passed away peacefully on Sunday 23 March surrounded by those who loved him. Denis was predeceased by his beloved wife Marie and his brothers and sisters.