Emergency services to hold Blue Lights and Christmas Lights Day at Laois GAA headquarters

Laois’s life saving services will be marking the end of the year by coming together to put on a display for the public in Portlaoise this Sunday, December 7.

Blue Lights and Christmas Lights Day will see Laois Gardaí, Fire and Rescue Service and Civil Defence converge at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise together with the National Ambulance Service, Irish Prison Service and representatives from the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise. 

Garda Sergeant Orla Nolan said it would give the organisations a chance to meet up for a positive event.  She described it as “a great opportunity for us to come together and show that there is that camaraderie and collaboration”. 

Sgt Nolan said subject to availability, a number of specialist units of An Garda Síochána such as the Garda Mounted Unit will be in attendance on the day.

“We have also requested our specialist units like the Armed Support Unit who do a great display,” said Sgt Nolan.  

Visitors can expect to see vehicles of all shapes and sizes decked out in Christmas lights and there will be equipment on display from the various garda units.  

Requests have also gone out to other organisations and Sgt Nolan believes there may well be a few surprises on the day. 

She explained that the regular Garda Open Day wasn’t possible in Portlaoise this year due to the refurbishment and extension of the Portlaoise Garda Station. 

Blue Lights and Christmas Lights Day begins with a celebration of the Little Blue Heroes and there will be a Sensory Hour from 12 to 1pm before the main event gets underway in O’Moore Park at Fr Brown Avenue, Clonminam, Portlaoise, from 1pm to 3pm. 

The event promises to be a spectacular afternoon of fun and entertainment for all the family and there will be light refreshments on the day.