Twenty members approved for new community policing meetings for Laois

The first 20 members of a new 26 strong inter-agency committee to fight crime in Laois, have been approved.

The first Laois meeting of the Local Community Safety Partnership, (LCSP) will happen in January 2026. 

It has been a long wait because it will be nearly two years since its predecessor, the Joint Policing Committee met in spring 2024.

The Laois LCSP is going to meet six times a year to talk to Senior Gardaí about crime and security issues in their local areas.

The new committee includes some Laois county councillors, Gardaí, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of statutory agencies, including Laois County Council, the HSE, Tusla and members of community groups that are registered with Laois PPN.

Laois County Council announced on Friday, December 12, that Ministerial approval has been received for 20 members of the newly established Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) committee.

"This marks a significant milestone in advancing the new community focused safety model within County Laois," a spokesperson said.

The newly approved members convened for an induction session on Thursday, December 11, where they were formally introduced to the structure, remit and objectives of the partnership.

At the session were: Superintendent Brian Farrell, Kieran Brosnan, Bernie Meally, Sarah Jane Kavanagh, Marina Ryan, Brendan Birney, Pat Duggan, Cllr Ben Brennan (Portarlington Graiguecullen MD), Derek McGourty, Gus Carr and Cllr Paddy Bracken, Cllr Conor Bergin, Cllr Ollie Cooney and Cllr John King, (Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick MD). Also attending were former GAA president Liam O Neill,  Sinead Williams, Caroline Whitelegg, Bobby Delaney, Cllr Catherine Fizgerald (Portlaoise MD) Jacqui Carroll and Pat Delaney Director of Services with Laois County Council.

Pat Delaney, Director of Services at Laois County Council welcomed the launch. 

“We are delighted to host the LCSP’s membership induction in Portlaoise. Laois County Council looks forward to supporting the LCSP as it begins its important work in fostering stronger, safer communities through partnership , engagement and shared responsibility. Thanks to all of the members and the organisations they represent for dedicating their time to this initiative.”

The LCSP system has been criticised before it even begins however. No TDs will have access while local media be restricted and possibly excluded, with Deputy Brian Stanley as well as the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) urging a change of the new rules.

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The inaugural meeting of the Laois LCSP is scheduled to take place in January 2026, signifying the formal commencement of the Committee’s work in promoting collaborative, community centered approaches to safety and wellbeing across the county.