1 – Firearm, ammunition and drugs worth €285,000 seized following Garda raid in Laois
Gardaí in Portlaoise seized €285,000 worth of various controlled drugs, a firearm and ammunition during a search operation this week.
This took place as part of Operation Tara. Gardai have arrested one man following the raid and say investigations are ongoing.
2 – Celebration of one of Ireland’s longest-serving teachers – as Portlaoise primary school principal retires
Muriel Wall-Coughlan has made an incredible contribution to education – and her remarkable 51-year teaching career was celebrated in Scoil Bhride in Knockmay this week as she officially retired as school principal.
Having started working way back in 1973, she has worked right up until she can legally work no more.
3 – ‘Monsignor John Byrne Plaza’ unveiled as popular Portlaoise priest honoured in Jubilee year by Laois school
It was a wonderful occasion in Holy Family Senior and Junior Schools this week as a popular priest was recognised in his Jubilee year.
Monsignor John Byrne was the guest of honour as hundreds gathered in Portlaoise on Wednesday.
4 – Laois will have an Olympian in Paris as Portarlington woman chosen for Ireland 7s rugby squad
The Olympic Games will take place in Paris later this year and there will be keen Laois interest in Team Ireland.
That is because Portarlington’s Alanna Fitzpatrick has been chosen in the Ireland 7s Women’s rugby squad for the games.
5 – Tailteann Cup: 19 years of hurt ended as brilliant Laois defeat Kildare to reach semis
The Laois senior footballers are heading back to Croke Park after they defeated Kildare in Tullamore last weekend.
Against all the odds, Justin McNulty’s charges got the better of Kildare for the first time in the championship since 2005.
6 – Sadness as the late Kathleen Rigney is laid to rest in Portlaoise
There is sadness in Portlaoise this week following the passing of Kathleen Rigney (née Hughes) from St Brigid’s Place.
Mrs Rigney, predeceased by her husband Mick and infant daughter Marie, was laid to rest in St Peter and Paul’s Cemetery following her funeral on Tuesday.
7 – Sadness following the passing of former Portlaoise publican
Portlaoise is also mourning the passing this week of former publican, Vera Kavanagh (née Keane), who passed away peacefully at home.
Mrs Kavanagh, originally from Dacklin, Carrick-on-Shannon, in Roscommon, was the proprietor of the Wrens Nest pub on Main Street in Portlaoise.
8 – High praise for Laois physio as returning players give footballers a big boost
“I think Johnny (Lawlor) has lads on sleepovers in his house just to get them back right,” said James Kelly with a smile after Laois defeated Kildare on Sunday.
The St Joseph’s defender pulled up with a hamstring injury in training just before Laois were to play Fermanagh in Round 3 of the Tailteann Cup on June 2.
9 – Box by box: How the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District voted in this year’s Local Election
There’s no place like home – and a strong performance in your home area was once again key to sending successful candidates to Laois County Council in this year’s Local Elections.
According to the Fine Gael tallies seen by LaoisToday, Paschal McEvoy (Fianna Fáil) once again exceeded 50% of the vote in Stradbally en route to a poll-topping performance.
10 – Fianna Fail and Fine Gael strike deal to control Laois County Council for another five years
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have struck a deal which will see them control Laois County Council once again for the next five years.
This will be a similar arrangement to what has been in place since the 2014 election.
