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Town council slams ‘bully-boy’ antics of Minister Hogan

THE “bully-boy” tactics of Minister Phil Hogan in hitting old age pensioners with the Household Charge have been roundly criticised by Portlaoise Town Council.

Polish people make up largest
non-Irish group

Polish people make up the largest group of non-Irish nationals in County Laois, according to Census 2011 Area Profiles which where published by the Central Stastics Office, last week.

Parents to play role in 3rd level uptake

Parents have to take some of the responsibility for the low rate of third level participation by Laois students, according to Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn.

Power needed to evict unruly private tenants

MINISTER Phil Hogan must provide legislation to provide new powers to allow for the eviction of “unruly and unsociable tenants” from their private rented accomadation,

Inspector Martin Harrington , Portlaoise , Paddy Buggy (Chairman - Laois Community Forum ) , Chief Supt. John Scanlon , Portlaoise and Honor Deevey (Community and Enterprise -Laois County Council ) at The Laois Community Forum  Community Alert Information and Networking Evening in the Heritage Hotel , Portlaoise .
            Photo: Michael Scully -No Reproduction Fee .

Policing meeting for PortlaoiseResidents

Laois Community Forum are hosting an Information and Networking Evening for all Portlaoise Residents groups on Tuesday, May 21 at 7.30pm .

Cash backed start-up project

Entrepreneurs in Laois with an innovative business idea can now apply for New Frontiers 2013 commencing in July.

Sport rss

Laois goalkeeper Eoin Reilly charges past Antrim full-forward Conor Carson to clear his lines during Sunday's Allianz National Hurling League Division 2 game at Casement Park, Belfast. Pic by John McIlwaine

Laois facing into toughest test so far as Antrim come to town

Laois senior hurlers will face up to their toughest challenge of 2013 this Saturday night when they welcome Antrim to O’Moore Park.

Mountrath TTC players who were part ol the Leinster Gold Medal winners at the Inter-pros recently. L-R Club coach Jimmy Hayes. Jessie Hayes, Leanne Delaney, Dylan Grace (national champion U12) Scott Jestin, Paddy Vaughan, Amylou Hayes, Tadhg Downey and Katie Hayes.

Mountrath players carry Leinster to glory

Dynamic performances by many young table tennis players from the midlands carried Leinster to an incredible win in this season’s Inter-Provincials.

Tom Sheil sends in this ball for Laois against Meath in the Leinster MFC at O'Moore Park.
Picture: Alf Harvey/hrphoto.ie

Production line needs to get back to full speed

As Laois’ latest attempts to establish themselves as a competitive force in Leinster at minor level fizzled out on Saturday afternoon, it was hard not to think back to a time, not so long ago, when the county won games like this as a matter of routine.

Tom Sheil sends in this ball for Laois against Meath in the Leinster MFC at O'Moore Park.
Picture: Alf Harvey/hrphoto.ie

Portlaoise add cup glory with big win in Donnybrook

A large crowd for both Portlaoise and Naas flocked to Donnybrook to support their clubs in the U-13’s McGowan Cup Final on Monday, May 6.

Paddy Power Column: Bolger talks up Trading Leather

WE’RE still in the middle of trials season with Battle Of Marengo the latest victor for champion trainer Aidan O’Brien in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown last Sunday.

The Portlaoise U-14 Rugby team

Curtain comes down on successful season for Portlaoise’s young guns

Portlaoise’s U-14 rugby team saw their season come to an end recently, but they could look back on a hugely successful season for all involved.

Lifestyle rss

Members of the youth theatre on stage

Youth theatre success

The Dunamaise Arts Centre saw Stradbally Youth Theatre put in a remarkable performance on Saturday 4th May. The members of the youth theatre presented DNA, a dark comedy by Dennis Kelly, directed by Siobhán Coffey and Trevor Mulhare.

Mountmellick to host film

THE Europe Direct information centre in Mountmellick Library will host a special screening of Irland und seine Kinder (Children of Eire) on Saturday May 18 from 12pm to 12.45pm.

Paula, Pierce, Niamh and Tony at the SERVE coffee morning in Timahoe Hall which was held on Easter Sunday.

Five Laois volunteers are ready to SERVE in disadvantaged countries

Five young people from Laois will take part in volunteer projects with SERVE this summer. Paula Quigley and Pierce Bennett (both Timahoe) will volunteer in South Africa with Tapologo and Tsholofelo, Tony Loughnane (also Timahoe) and Niamh McDermott (Mountmellick) will travel to Mozambique to volunteer with Young Africa and Sarah Delaney (Rathineska) will volunteer with Morning Star in India.
 In South Africa, near Rustenburg, Paula and Pierce will be assisting on the building and renovation of health and training centres, with Paula taking on the role of Group Leader. Tens of thousands of people live in shacks in squatter camps such as Freedom Park, and SERVE’s partners Tapologo and Tsholofelo provide services including home-based care and vocational skills training.
This will be Paula’s second trip abroad with SERVE, having previously volunteered with them in 2009.
“I’ve been involved with SERVE on and off since 2009, when I volunteered in the Philippines with them. I’ve been doing some fundraising and then an opportunity came up to work with them for a year, and I jumped at it.”
Paula became involved with Serve having attended an information session in college in Cork.
“They were recruiting in CIT (Cork Institute of Technology), where I was studying. I seen it advertised and decided to go to the information session and it all went from there.”
Paula, Pierce and Tony, go back along way, having all grown up together in Timahoe. While Pierce become involved through Paula, he is looking forward to the experience and helping those in need.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I had to drop out of a trip to Zambia when I was in 5th year in the CBS in Portlaoise because of my studies. I wasn’t going to miss out when the opportunity came again.”
Pierce continues: “What you see on television is not really real, I wanted to go and see it and experience it for myself. Even if I help one person, it will be worthwhile.”
The Heath Golf Club barman said that his family were naturally a bit worried when he first said he was going.
“They were a little bit worried and they had lots of questions about what I would be doing and my safety and vaccines, but they trust me to look after myself too,” he said.
In Beira, Mozambique, Tony and Niamh will be working on the construction of Young Africa’s new agricultural skills training centre, which will train people from the local area in agricultural working practices and techniques. The volunteers will also be taking part in arts, sports and youth leadership workshops. Young Africa’s aim is to provide young people with the technical, business and life skills to support themselves, their families and their communities.
Tony decided to volunteer after hearing what a life changing experience it was from other people who had experience of it.
“Everybody I have discussed this with who has experience of volunteering says it is a life changing experience.” 
He continues: “What impressed me and gained my interest is the fact that SERVE realises that throwing money at people in these severely disadvantaged areas will not solve their problems. By investing in infrastructure, education, and working in partnership with people to empower themselves real and sustainable.”
Ratheniska’s Sarah, who recently graduated with a degree in Social Care, will volunteer with Morning Star in Bangalore, India. The Morning Star Learning Centre project provides care and education for orphaned and abandoned children. Many of the young people there have learning and physical disabilities, and the centre also encompasses a residential home.
Similar to Paula, Sarah signed up after attending an information day while in college in Waterford IT. 
“When they came to the college I just decided to do it. I finished college last year and I’m just working part time, so now is a good time to go while I have the time.”
With her background in social care, Sarah will be working with children in an orphanage with disabilities.

Maureen Culleton

Plentyof choice at May festival

THERE are plenty of events happening across Laois over the next few weeks as part of the Bealtaine celebrations.

Pamela Flood

Pamela Flood to MC dancing comp

PAMELA Flood, former Miss Ireland and RTE Presenter will act as MC at the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ night in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise on Friday May 17.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Community arts host exhibition in Laois

A NUMBER of local artists have recently set up the Facebook page Laois Arts Network with a view to providing a platform for artists around the county to show their work.

Community rss

Gragiuecullen/killeshin

Policing MEETING

Clonaslee

BICENTENARY

Errill

LATE KATHLEEN CAMPION

The Laois Open Door Drama Group presenting a cheque for �500 to John Hosey of the Raheen Parish Church Restoration Committee. The money was rasied at the recent production It Runs in the Family.

Raheen news

COLT LOTTO

Ballyroan notes

VINTAGE RALLY

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Weather for Portlaoise

Sunday 19 May 2013

5 day forecast

Today

Sunny spells

Sunny spells

Temperature: 9 C to 17 C

Wind Speed: 9 mph

Wind direction: South east

Tomorrow

Cloudy

Cloudy

Temperature: 9 C to 18 C

Wind Speed: 17 mph

Wind direction: North west

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