'People fed up' at long wait to create Covid memorial in Laois

Portlaoise people are reportedly "fed up" at a delay to create a Covid pandemic area of reflection in the town.

It is a year since all Covid restrictions were lifted following two years of the pandemic in Ireland. So far, 145 people died with the virus in Laois.

Cllr Noel Tuohy from Portlaoise Municipal District has made his final formal call to create an area of reflection in memory of the people who died.

Cllr Tuohy who is retiring early on health grounds this month, tabled his second motion on the issue, to the January meeting of the district.

He requests that an area be cleared by Laois County Council, at the pedestrian entrance to the Town Park, to be used as an area of reflection for those bereaved during Covid times. 

"I've been pushing this for a while. People are a bit fed up," he said.

Cllr Tuohy said that the virus "hasn't gone away".

"We need to bear that in mind. I am going to a funeral tomorrow of somebody who died from Covid," he said.

"I have spoken on this area of reflection on a number of occasions and the value and need of such an area. It would serve as an acknowledgement for those who lost their lives, those who have been bereaved during Covid times and those who suffered other hardships.

"And I believe it would serve a need and be a valued place for a lot of people. Terry Swayne of Portlaoise Stone has offered to supply a stone free of charge, and Wes assures me it will be landscaped with seating. I look forward to seeing it in place," Cllr Tuohy said.

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In reply, engineer Wes Wilkinson said that the Portlaoise Municipal District office will draw up proposals for planting and landscaping for the area of reflection, in the location suggested. 

No timescale was given for completing the project.

It is to be located inside the pedestrian entrance to the People's Park on the Timahoe Road in Portlaoise. 

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley supported the motion.

"It will look back on the complete destruction of Covid. Many lives were lost, it is important to have a reflection area for people to go to. I hope to get it before Noel retires," she said.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly said that they have a Covid reflection area already in Abbeyleix.

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"The amount of people that come and sit there, to eat an ice cream or to reflect. So many people lost their lives, it is a lovely place to sit and relax," he said. 

Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of the district said "it is important to mark this as a piece of history". 

So far since the start of the pandemic, 145 people have died from Covid-19 in Laois, according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.