Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced the introduction of a compulsory housing order for poultry and captive birds, to protect them from the risk of avian influenza.

A FRIGHTENING incident in which a tractor overturned in a collapsed roadside bank has prompted appeals for a crash barrier to be installed.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Portlaoise Garda Superintendent, who will retire this week after a long and varied career.

Paul Ryan, Bellgrove, Ballybrittas, Laois died peacefully on 4 November, surrounded by his loving wife and family at St James's Hospital Dublin. Predeceased by his father Tom, grandparents and father-in-law Tom.

A MAN in his 60s was hospitalised in a Halloween arson attack in Townspark, Athy on Thursday (30 October) that left his house badly damaged by fire and his dog dead.

Martin Holohan, Limerick city and late of Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix, Laois died on 1 November. Deeply regretted by his brother George, sister Geraldine, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Jack Pigott, Kilmainham, Mountmellick, Laois died peacefully on 4 November, surrounded by his loving family, at the Regional Hospital Portlaoise. Beloved husband of the late Annette (recently deceased).

FOUR young men were banned from setting foot inside the Laois Shopping Centre in Portlaoise when they came before the Juvenile sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Monday. They cannot be identified due to their ages.

Brendan (Barney) Murtagh, Woodbrook, Mountrath, Laois and formerly Dublin passed away unexpectedly on 3 November at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. Predeceased by his son Shane.

Liam (William) Boyhan, Curran, Aghaboe, Ballacolla, Laois passed away peacefully on 4 November, surrounded by his loving family, at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise.

Patricia (Trish) Whelan, Derrycappagh House, Mountmellick and formerly Clonkeen, Portlaoise, Laois died peacefully on 4 November, surrounded by her loving family. Predeceased by her parents Michael and Teresa and sister- in-law Kathleen.

MORE than €150,000 has been granted for enhancement of the beautiful Slieve Bloom Mountains as a tourist destination.

Des Moore, Branswood, Athy, Kildare and formerly of Garrons, Stradbally, Laois died on Sunday 2 November. Predeceased by his parents Jack and Elizabeth and brother Christy.

Laois IFA members were among a massive crowd who attended the IFA's National Nitrate Derogation meeting in Fermoy, Co Cork, last weekend.

The accused was interviewed six times and admitted his involvement in the storage and distribution of the controlled drug

THE Meals on Wheels service in the Portlaoise area is set to be reintroduced for vulnerable seniors in the area. The county town has been without this vital programme since June 2023.

A 61-YEAR-old man called gardaí ‘bastards’ an told them to ‘f**k off’ when they found him drunk with two bottles of whiskey in a public park.

Des Moore, Branswood, Athy, Kildare and formerly of Garrons, Stradbally, Laois died on Sunday 2 November. Predeceased by his parents Jack and Elizabeth and brother Christy.

A BOOK marking this year’s 250th anniversary of the founding of Abbeyleix will be launched shortly. Local historian Noel Burke and photographer James G.

Marlena Stanislawska, Rathgaline, Portlaoise, Laois It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Marlena Stanislawska, formerly of Rathgaline, Portlaoise on 24 October.