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03 Apr 2026

'Nowhere to go': 60 Laois fire victims moved across accommodation locations

The victims of the Kilnacourt fire in Portarlington have been left with nowhere to turn

'Nowhere to go': Over 60 Laois fire victims evicted from emergency accommodation

Reporter:

Hannah Cahill

24 Feb 2025 5:53 PM

Email:

hannah.cahill@leinsterexpress.ie

Victims of the Kilnacourt fire in Portarlington were evicted from their emergency accommodation and left in uncertainty on Monday afternoon, before being told they would be moving to Abbeyleix Manor.
Approximately 60 residents were left  homeless after the blaze in the early hours of Thursday morning and had been provided emergency accommodation by Laois County Council in the Maldron Hotel in Portlaoise. 
Resident Paul Glynn told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that he and fellow residents were checked out at 11am, and were left stranded with nowhere to go.

 

Pictured: Victims of the Kilnacourt fire in Portarlington, outside of the Maldron hotel. Photo: The Leinster Express / Laois Live.

As they stood in the lobby with their bags, it was over two hours later that a Laois County Council worker informed them that they would be moving to Abbeyleix Manor for two weeks.
The residents were told that once the two weeks are up, they must source accommodation for themselves.
Building management have also contacted the Portarlington residents, announcing that 'security fencing' will be erected around the apartments, with the loss of owner or tenant's possessions 'not covered by insurance'. 
The Leinster Express / Laois Live were on the scene to hear reactions from those affected.
“Eighteen families and up to 60 residents are staying here, and we have all been told to leave,” Mr Paul Glynn said.
“Three of us went up to Laois County Council offices this morning, and we were told there was nothing they could do. The Council are telling us to refer to our landlords, and our landlords are telling us to avail of help from the Council,” Mr Glynn explained.
“We were told we had to be out of the hotel rooms by 11am on Monday, we asked if we could have an extension until 1pm to try sort alternative accommodation, and we were refused. We had been promised we wouldn’t be left stuck like this,” Mr Glynn said.
Mr Glynn and his neighbours were provided with free food and accommodation in the Maldron hotel, with prices reinstated on Monday morning. 
The residents have been left stranded and uncertain, and will now move on to Abbeyleix Manor for another fortnight.
“Everybody here has their own story, there are over 60 of us. We are traumatised. We are all going to stay here, we don't know where to go,” he said. 
"We are standing here with the few belongings we have, and we were told it could take a year before we get back in our apartments with all of the smoke damage.
"It’s the worst fire in the area since 1966, we have nowhere to go. We just don’t know what to do,” Mr Glynn finished.
Laois County Council previously told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that “Temporary emergency measures” were put in place. 
“Residents have also been temporarily accommodated, with Laois County Council liaising on-site with An Garda Siochana, Civil Defence, Social Welfare Services and the relevant Apartment Block Management Company with a view to providing assistance in identifying appropriate alternative accommodation,” they stated.
The CEO of Laois County Council told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that the Council cannot comment on individual cases, and are engaging with the Housing team.

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