Laois army veterans approved for lease of new home

Laois United Nations veterans have found a home for at least the next five years in Portlaoise.

Laois County Council has signed a lease for a building in the town that the IUNVA veterans group Post 27 had already moved into last October.

It secures their future for four years and 11 months, at 17 Church Street, next to The Cube business centre.

The group's previous base had been in army quarters behind Portlaoise Garda Station but that is being demolished to make way for a multi million upgrade of the station, a regional Garda headquarters.

Post 27 members had previously been without a base for some years after Laois County Council took back over a building at Fitzmaurice Place, to use for library staff.

The lease will cost the veterans €450 for the full term, as well as full legal costs for the lease.

See Post 27's formal march through Portlaoise to their new home in October. 

It was proposed by Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.

"Can I say a word of thanks to management and staff in Laois County Council. The UN veterans had to move from the Garda station and a lot of work has gone on the background with management and the ex CEO John Mulholland. To make sure they were looked after, thank you to everyone involved," she said.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded the approval.

"It's great that they now have a proper facility. It's great to be able to honour them and acknowledge the work they have done as well, and well done to the council on the work they have done. It's an ideal location now," she said.

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Post 27 members provide support and social links to all people who have served in the United Nations, as well as providing formal ceremonies at special events and memorials in Laois and Ireland.