Laois Today

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Conroy to the fore as Rosenallis topple Portarlington in the U-15 Hurling League Division 2 Final

Rosenallis 1-21 Portarlington 2-3 U-15 Hurling League Division 2 Final A mammoth 1-11 from Joe Conroy helped Rosenallis to victory this evening, as they claimed the U-15 Hurling League Division 2 title in the LOETB Centre of Excellence. Rosenallis were out of sight by half time, having kept Portarlington scoreless until the 28th minute. Port…

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2023/05/24/conroy-to-the-fore-as-rosenallis-topple-portarlington-in-the-u-15-hurling-league-division-2-final/

LoveLaois Podcast: Time to Shine, poster saga, housing issue and remembering Will Sherlock and Jim McDonald

On this week’s LoveLaois Podcast we’re joined by Martin Crowley, one of the driving forces behind the Shine 2023 event which takes place in Emo Court this Saturday, May 27.

Shine is a joint venture between Emo GAA club and the Laois Chamber of Commerce and combines a trade fair featuring over 100 exhibitors alongside Ireland’s Fittest Team competition, a gruelling sporting challenge that is centre stage of the event all day on Saturday.

Steven and Alan chat about the event, as well as about some of the other local stories of the past week.

Alan discusses the story whereby up to 16% of Laois County Council houses are refused by applicants.

They also chat about the issue of auctioneers’ ‘For Sale’ signs – and if they aren’t permitted, then should politicians be allowed hang their posters?

Plus, could there be a walkway and cycle route from Portlaoise to the Rock of Dunamaise, a Castletown fundraiser with a very deep meaning and paying tribute to the recently deceased Will Sherlock and Jim McDonald.

The post LoveLaois Podcast: Time to Shine, poster saga, housing issue and remembering Will Sherlock and Jim McDonald appeared first on Laois Today.

source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2023/05/24/lovelaois-podcast-time-to-shine-poster-saga-housing-issue-and-remembering-will-sherlock-and-jim-mcdonald/

In Pictures: Late Late Show host pays a visit to popular Laois restaurant

Ryan Tubridy made a surprise appearance in Laois today as he popped in to a popular local restaurant.

Stradbally Fayre welcomed the RTE TV and radio presenter into their establishment this afternoon.

Tubridy arrived unannounced and ordered the toasted special with chips – with owner Chris Maguire telling LaoisToday that the Dubliner was pleasantly surprised with the size of the portion.

“I don’t think he was quite ready for the size of the portions that us culchies have down here,” Chris joked.

He said: “Ryan called in unannounced and enjoyed a meal with us this afternoon.

“After he had finished, we approached him to see would he be willing to take some photos with staff and customers and he could not have been more obliging.

“One of our customers, Mairead, spotted him first and Ryan was very kind with his time.

“We had no prior notice or anything, he just called in so it was a great surprise for us all.

“Being located here in Stradbally, we are used to celebrities dropping in whether they are attending the ploughing or Electric Picnic.

“And every single of them, just like Ryan, have been so kind and pleasant.”

Tubridy is coming to the end of his spell as Late Late Show host and Chris said everyone in Stradbally Fayre wished him well.

He said: “We thanked Ryan for all of the years of entertainment that he gave us all and wished him well for the future.”

Check out some great pictures below:

The post In Pictures: Late Late Show host pays a visit to popular Laois restaurant appeared first on Laois Today.

source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2023/05/24/in-pictures-late-late-show-host-pays-a-visit-to-popular-laois-restaurant/

‘Energy companies must cut their consumer prices to reflect cheaper wholesale electricity’

Energy companies must pass on savings to their customers after wholesale electricity prices were dramatically reduced in the last year.

So says Deputy Charlie Flanagan as the latest figures from the CSO show wholesale electricity prices decreased by over 40% in the 12 months to April 2023, and by 13.5% when April and March 2023 are compared.

Speaking today Deputy Flanagan said: “This is a substantial saving and must be passed on to customers.

“Energy companies were quick to increase prices when their own costs increased, but we are not seeing the same urgency in passing on savings to customers as energy prices come down.

“As we can see from today’s figures, wholesale prices have been dropping for a while – yet nothing has been done to date by those companies making the profits.

“As we move into the warmer months, customers are starting to see smaller bills thanks to less usage, but that shouldn’t be a smokescreen for energy companies to hide behind with continued overcharging.”

Deputy Flanagan continued: “The Government has taken several steps to help ease the burden of spiralling electricity prices on hard-pressed households.

“Energy credits of €600 have been made available to every household to help them with their electricity bills and we have reduced VAT on electricity and gas to 9% – their lowest rate ever.

“We’ve taken a special dividend from ESB that we can use to help homes and businesses over the time ahead.

“Yesterday, Cabinet approved the extension of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme for small businesses until the end of July.

“And a windfall tax is being imposed on the profits of the energy companies. We published legislation in March, which we referred to the relevant Oireachtas joint committee and I hope we will pass it before the summer recess.”

Concluding Deputy Flanagan said: “We will say to these companies, in a very practical way, that if they are going to continue to profiteer on the back of Irish people, then we are going to tax them for it.

“Wholesale savings must be passed on to customers without delay.”

The post ‘Energy companies must cut their consumer prices to reflect cheaper wholesale electricity’ appeared first on Laois Today.

source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2023/05/24/energy-companies-must-cut-their-consumer-prices-to-reflect-cheaper-wholesale-electricity/

New HSE chief set to visit Abbeyleix Hospital as 12 beds remained unopened due to delays

The new HSE chief, Bernard Gloster, is set to visit Abbeyleix Hospital ‘in the near future’.

So says Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley who requested Mr Gloster’s presence at the facility.

12 beds at the hospital remain unopened due to delays in remedial works at the location.

The Laois TD says that this is putting pressure on Portlaoise Hospital as these beds could be used as a ‘step down’ facility for when patients are discharges from Portlaoise.

Deputy Stanley said: “I have engaged with the new CEO of the HSE since his appointment to the position in recent weeks.

“Two weeks ago, Mr Gloster and his senior management team were before the Public Accounts Committee. I raised the matter of Abbeyleix with him and the importance of having the full capacity of the Hospital utilised.

“I used the occasion to highlight to him the need for the second side of the Hospital (side A) to be re-opened for use as a step-down facility for patients being discharged from Portlaoise Hospital.

“There is an urgent need for these beds to free up desperately needed space in Portlaoise.

“The fact that twelve beds remain unopened is a scandal. This has been delayed due to the need of some remedial works and fit out.”

Deputy Stanley says that the latest up to date position on the step-down beds is that the remedial works are to be completed in July.

He said: “I am also informed that ‘the appointment of the Community Consultant Geriatrician along with nursing support staff is being actively progressed at present’.

“Since his appearance at the Public Accounts Committee, I have discussed with Bernard Gloster the potential for the Abbeyleix Hospital site to be utilised as a community care hub.

“While the reopening of the Day-Care centre within the Hospital is positive, what is really needed is a new day-care building on site that would also accommodate additional primary care services.

“The site in Abbeyleix has enormous potential due to it being over four acres in size and meet with staff given its prime location adjacent to the centre of Abbeyleix town.

“I have impressed on Bernard Gloster that he should visit the site and he has informed me in the last few days that he intends to do so in the near future.”

With his appointment of the new CEO for the HSE and the fact that he is taking an active interest in Abbeyleix, I am hopeful of further progress being made.”

The post New HSE chief set to visit Abbeyleix Hospital as 12 beds remained unopened due to delays appeared first on Laois Today.

source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2023/05/24/new-hse-chief-set-to-visit-abbeyleix-hospital-as-12-beds-remained-unopened-due-to-delays/

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Deaths in Laois – Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Below are the recent local deaths.

May they rest in peace.

Paraic Cummins
Kilminchy, Portlaoise, Laois/Lullymore, Kildare

Cummins, Paraic, Limetree Ave., Kilminchy, Portlaoise. 20th May 2023. Peacefully at St James Hospital. After a short illness. Son of the recently deceased Margaret Cummins. Predeceased by his sister Maddie. Dearly loved husband to Linda. Cherished father to Sarah and Conor. Deeply regretted by his father John, brother Sean, brothers in law, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, cousins and a large circle of friends and neighbours.

Family flowers only, donations, if desired, to St James Hospital Foundation for the End of Life Initiative.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Richard Byrne
Rathleague, Portlaoise, Laois

Byrne, Richard (Dickie), Rathleague, Portlaoise. May 22nd 2023 Peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Predeceased by his sister Ellie. Beloved husband of Jane and cherished father to Irene. Loving grandfather to Caoimhe and Thomas. Deeply regretted by his loving family, son in law Tommy, sister in law Mary, nieces, relatives and extended family.

Reposing at his residence from 2 pm on Wednesday, until removal at 6.30 pm to arrive at St Peter’s Church at 7 pm. Funeral service will take place at 3 pm on Thursday with burial in adjoining churchyard.

Caleb Powell
Ballybrittas, Laois / Nenagh, Tipperary

Formerly of Nenagh, County Tipperary. Cherished husband of Storm, wonderful father of Bobby, Barbara, Andrew, Anna and Simon. Reunited with beloved son Stephen. Adoring Pa to Ellie and Polly, Jemima and Willa, Stevie and Holly. Greatly missed by his brothers Robert and David, sisters Mary and Carol, son-in-law MacDara, daughters-in-law Juliet and Renata, extended family and friends.

Funeral Mass in St John’s Church, Killenard, County Laois (eircode R32 VW77) at 12 noon on Thursday 25th followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

William (Will) Sherlock
Eyne, Portlaoise, Laois

The death has occurred of William (Will) Sherlock, Eyne, Portlaoise, Laois (R32WNR1). Will Sherlock, Eyne, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, died peacefully on 22nd May 2023, in the loving care of the staff at St Brigid’s Hospice The Curragh surrounded by his loving family. Predeceased by his father Mick, Uncle Billy and sister-in-law Brenda.

Beloved husband of Helen and devoted father of Ella, Billy, and Leah. Much loved son of Ann, Brother of John, Patrick, Michael, Roseann and Mark. He will be sadly missed by his Aunt Bridie, sisters-in-law Louise, Miriam, Roisin & Una, brothers-in-law Gearóid, Des & Seamus, father and mother in law, Michael and Teresa, nieces & nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends including those in Portlaoise Rugby Club & The Irish Prison Service.

Reposing in his home on Wednesday from 5pm. Recital of the Rosary at 7.30pm. Funeral arriving to Church of The Assumption, The Heath, on Thursday for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Burial after in the adjoining cemetery. House private on Thursday morning pleases.

Rachel (Frances) Hayes
Larchvale, Moneygall, Offaly / Portlaoise, Laois

Rachel (Frances) late of Larchvale, Moneygall,Dublin and Portlaoise Passed away peacefully, on Sunday, May 21st, in the care of Droimnin Nursing Home, Stradbally, Co. Laois. Deeply regretted by her sisters Iris Ruddock (Carlow) Hilda Colbourne (Birr) and Carmel Birney (Mountrath), sons Peter and Duncan and family, brother in law Raymond, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Reposing in Donovan’s Funeral Home, Moneygall (E53XR29) on Tuesday evening from 7oc to 8 oc followed by removal to Templeharry Church arriving at 8 30 oc. Funeral service on Wednesday at 2 oc, burial afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.

Michael Delaney
Newtown Bog, Crettyard, Laois

Passed away peacefully at home in the company of his loving family.

Father of the late James. Michael will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his beloved wife Patricia, daughters Bernadette, Karen, Ann and Deirdre, sisters Helena and Julia, sons-in-law Peter, James, Eamonn and Frank, brother-in-law Sammy, his adored grandchildren Mike, Callum, Matthew, Evana, Noel, Jim, Luke and Ava, Mike’s wife Kat and Callum’s wife Georgia, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Reposing at his home (Eircode R93 XP48) on Tuesday (23rd May) from 4pm with Vigil Prayers and Rosary at 8pm. Funeral cortege arriving at St. Abban’s Church, Doonane, on Wednesday for Requiem Mass at 12 noon followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. House private on Wednesday morning, please.

Please use the online condolence link to offer the family your sympathies and share memories of Michael.

The post Deaths in Laois – Wednesday, May 24, 2023 appeared first on Laois Today.

source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2023/05/24/deaths-in-laois-wednesday-may-24-2023/

First half surge sees Mountmellick confirm top four place while Arles-Killeen must go again

Arles-Killeen 0-12 Mountmellick 2-11 ACFL Division 3 Round 6 Mountmellick are through to the top four of Division 3 following a five point win over Arles-Killeen this evening. Colm Coss’ charges built up a 10 point lead in the first half and although the home side came back in the second, the damage had been…

The post First half surge sees Mountmellick confirm top four place while Arles-Killeen must go again appeared first on Laois Today.

source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2023/05/23/first-half-surge-sees-mountmellick-confirm-top-four-place-while-arles-killeen-must-go-again/

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