David Power
A journalist for over 20 years, David has worked for a number of regional titles both as journalist and editor. From Tullamore he also works as a content editor for Independent.ie. His heroes include Shane Lowry, Seamus Darby and Johnny Flaherty
Crimean cannon to return to Portlaoise ‘in memory of Jerry Lodge’
The return of a Crimean cannon to Portlaoise will be a fitting tribute to Cllr Jerry Lodge, a Laois Council official said.
Speaking prior to...
Incredible Portlaoise girl donates her hair to charity
A kind-hearted Portlaoise student grew her hair for over a year, and then had it cut off to donate to charity!
Sarah Colbert, who is...
Our pick of the top stories of the week
NEWS
Full scale of damage to former Portlaoise school revealed
At the start of the week LaoisToday revealed the full scale of the damage done to...
Spanish students get local lessons in hurling and Irish dancing during memorable trip to...
A group of Spanish students recently visited Abbeyleix where they received a very Laois welcome, getting to take part in set dancing and and...
Orthodontic waiting list now “totally out of control”
The waiting list for children who are in need of orthodontic treatment in the Laois/Offaly area is now totally out of control, according to...
Over €500,000 committed to help Laois people find work
Funding of close to €600,000 has been provided to support life-long learning and to get people in Laois job ready, it has been concerned.
Laois...
12 year jail sentence for Jihadi who drove over Laois man in the UK
A 12 year prison sentence was imposed yesterday in the UK on a Jihadi sympathiser who drove over a Mountmellick man in Birmingham, causing...
Concerns raised over sexual and serious assault of prison officers in Portlaoise
A sexual assault of a female prison officer and a serious assault of another prison officer at Midlands Prison Portlaoise were highlighted as issues...
Empty seat a poignant reminder of the late Jerry Lodge
An empty seat at the Portlaoise Municipal Authority meeting today was a poignant reminder of the recent death of Cllr Jerry Lodge.
The monthly meeting...
Principal of local school outlines frustration at delay for new school
Frustration at the delay in starting construction on a new St Paul’s School in Monasterevin was outlined by principal of the school before the...
Laois man remembered in wonderful eulogy by son
Michael (Mick) Mooney, Ashfield, Ballickmoyler, Co Laois, who passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, March 19 had...
‘Anger’ among parents as students remain in prefabs in Portlaoise
Monsignor John Byrne has moved to clear up confusion over remarks attributed to him on his pride that no students in the parish are...
Before and After: These shocking pictures show the full scale of the damage at...
St Paul’s NS on the Borris road was an education institution in Portlaoise for decades and many generations of children.
It was known as Portlaoise...
Portlaoise Hospital action committee welcomes positive Varadkar comments
The local Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee says it is no longer practical to downgrade the hospital and has welcomed positive comments from Taoiseach Leo...
Former Portlaoise primary school needs to be demolished ‘urgently’
The Department of Education should demolish the former St Paul's School which was set on fire in recent days as a matter of urgency,...
Our Pick of the Top Stories of the Week
NEWS
Scam
The week began with a sophisticated phone scam using a local number.
Report of gun seizure
There was shock in Portlaoise after reports of a gun...
Laois’s exclusion from Ireland Hidden Heartlands labelled a ‘joke’
There has been a strong reaction to launch of Ireland Hidden Heartlands with one of the county's leading fesitvals labelling the exclusion of Laois...
Meeting hears of youth ‘beaten into a pulp’ as local assaults increase
A young man was beaten into a pulp by two men and then kicked while on the ground for no reason, the Laois Joint...
Drink driving remains a challenge for gardaí in Laois
Despite a drop of almost 20 percent in drink driving offences in Laois, Chief Superintendent John Scanlon says there is still a way to...
CCTV proposed for Mountmellick Road amid abuse of gardaí
The top garda in the division has witnessed first-hand the abuse from youths causing difficulties in housing estates around the Mountmellick Road, including O’Moore...
Extra gardaí for Portarlington due to concerns over people who moved there
Extra gardaí are to be on duty in Portarlington due to concerns over people who have moved there, Chief Superintendent John Scanlon said this...
Portlaoise has longest wait time in midlands for driving tests
Drivers in Portlaoise face an average of over three months to sit their driving test, latest figures show.
It has emerged that Portlaoise has one...
Level of local cocaine use is ‘mind-boggling’
The level of cocaine use in Portlaoise and throughout the county was labelled as "mind-boggling" by Cllr Willie Aird at the County Laois Joint...
Criminal gangs flying in from eastern Europe to rob local businesses
Sophisticated crime gangs are flying in from eastern Europe to rob premises in Laois and other counties, the highest-ranking garda in the division has...
‘Zach was always very determined’ – Marie and Noel Tuohy’s pride at son’s Aussie...
It has been an incredible journey for Zach Tuohy since the heart-wrenching scene when his father watched his young son board a plane on...
IDA admits Laois is ‘historically challenged’ on foreign investment
The IDA manager for the midlands region has admitted that Laois has been historically challenged in attracting investment into the county.
Ken Whitelaw has just...
Tour of historic Ballykilcavan farm this weekend
A tour of the historic farm at Ballykilcavan near Stradbally will be given by David and Lisa Walsh-Kemmis this Sunday, April 8.
The farm has...
Country market proposed for Portlaoise
A country market should be developed in Portlaoise as part of an overall vision statement for the town, according to a local councillor.
Cllr Mary...
Laois Branch Down Syndrome Centre of Excellence close to becoming a reality
Down Syndrome Ireland ‘Laois Branch’ believes its training centre of excellence is close to becoming a reality at a site in Abbeyleix in the...
Two Laois fire stations to get €280,000 upgrade
Two fire stations in Laois will get an upgrade after funding of €280,000 for the works was confirmed this week.
Mountmellick Fire Station, which was...