Portlaoise bog lane next to woodlands 'in awful state'

A bog lane in Portlaoise is still "in a dreadful state", six months after Laois County Council said it would try to get it fixed.

The Laois lane is not their responsibility, but that of the national semi-state forestry company Coillte. 

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley again raised the "dreadful" condition of the private lane to Togher Bog, at the May meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

The bog lane goes past Togher Woods also owned by Coillte, a favourite for Portlaoise walkers.

"I was walking there last Sunday and it's in an awful state. It leads to the bog. The section owned by Laois County Council is well maintained. You get so far down and it's in a dreadful state. Particularly after rain has fallen, with potholes.

"You see people there bringing their turf home. I look forward to Coillte doing something with it," she said.

Portlaoise Municipal District office replied to say that they have "recently received contact details for the estates team within Coillte" and they will ask to meet Coillte representatives on site.

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Portlaoise MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Paddy Buggy agreed.

“In a couple of weeks I’ll be on it to draw turf and I’ll be shook on the tractor,” he said.

In November 2024 when Cllr Dwane Stanley previously asked for repairs of the "shocking" Togher bog lane, the council had said it would write to Coillte.