Managers Susan Ryan (Citizens Information Service) and Nuala Crowe Taft (National Advocacy Service) jointly reported at the AGM of Co Offaly Citizens Information Limited that in 2012 Co Offaly CIS answered over 19000 questions and helped 12863 callers. These are people who called into Birr,... Read More

18 year old Kim Murphy from Edenderry Co. Offaly raised €400 for Irish Autism Action following her parachute tandem skydive in Clonbullogue on Saturday April 27th. Kim is pictured handing the funds over to Niall Murphy from the national charity. Kim, who has had a busy schedule recently, works in... Read More

The Rhode Ladies Footballers edged out their neighbours and great rivals Edenderry in a thrilling game in the Offaly Ladies Senior Football Championship last weekend. Offaly Ladies Senior Football ChampionshipEdenderry 3-11Rhode 3-12.This was a cracking game to watch and it was hell for leather from... Read More

The three Midland local authorities are encouraging households to recycle.We generate a massive amount of recyclable materials at Christmas time from drink bottles to cardboard wrapping.In Laois Kyletasesha Landfill and Portlaoise Recycling Centre are closed today and tomorrow.In Westmeath the... Read More

An Edenderry man has developed an app that prevents you letting your passport expire.Finn Mooney's ' Passport Minder' hit the I-phone market in recent days.Plans are in place to roll it out for Android as well.Finn explains what the technology... Read More

GAELIC GAMES Seamus Cheddar Plunkett goes before the Laois County Committee this evening for ratification as the next senior hurling manager Plunkett, who managed the O'Moores minors last year, is expected to have Paul Cuddy as part of his backroom team Plunkett and Cuddy had originally aiding the... Read More

RUGBY UNION Connacht aim to pull off a shock in the Basque country tonight as they travel to play Biarritz in the Heineken Cup at 8 O'Clock Eric Elwood's side travel with confidence following last weekend's win over the French giants at the Sportsground Biarritz welcome back their captain Imanol... Read More

Vandals have attempted to smash Edenderry's Christmas cheer.The festive tree was targeted on Saturday evening and the Town Council's new lights damaged.The local authority says its hoping to have the tree re-lit in the near future.Gardai are investigating and are viewing CCTV as part of their... Read More

RUGBY UNION Connacht Chief Exec Tom Sears says the transfer of Mike McCarthy to Leinster will not benefit Irish rugby in the longer term. The province are unhappy at what they call the 'persistent targeting' of their players by Leinster. Sears says he can't see how the movement of the best players... Read More

The tenth annual Marian Geraghty Fun Run/Walk charity fundraiser will take place on Sunday 7th July 2013. The event will consist of a 10km run, as well as a 5km run and walk, starting from the GAA ground, Mount Bolus, Co. Offaly at 12 noon. All monies raised will be donated to the charity, Irish... Read More

IFA President John Bryan has warned against damaging the Irish drinks industry, and its ability to increase exports and economic activity. “Premium brands such as Guinness, Baileys and Jameson – all of which have built a global reputation based on sourcing quality raw material from Irish farming and... Read More

A week is a long time in horse racing and while other better writers and pundits have penned more eloquent tributes to Sir Henry Cecil than I could ever manage, I was deeply saddened by the maestro’s passing. I grew up watching ‘Henry’ win all the big races, including the English Derby four times,... Read More

Space Camp Ireland are offering a Space Camp for primary level children from 1st - 5th July in Birr Castle. The Summer Camp is open to all Primary Level age kids with an interest in science. If learning to build your own Rocket and launch; if meeting astronomers present at launch of the Mars... Read More

With the end of the Leaving Certificate in sight, the focus for thousands of Irish students will soon move from the books to that post-exam holiday in the sun. Reminding students of the dangers that can arise when mixing sun and alcohol, drinkaware.ie is encouraging students to pick up a copy of the... Read More

Beam Inc. the owners of the Kilbeggan Distillery Experience visitors centre at the 256 year old Kilbeggan Distillery in Co Westmeath have completed a major infrastructure investment programme to enhance the visitor experience at the world’s oldest licensed distillery. The lion’s share of the €85,000... Read More

Almost half of thirty-something Leinster women (43%) are suffering in silence with embarrassing ‘tummy turmoil’, according to new research out today, by Kellogg’s All-Bran in conjunction with the All-Bran 5 Day Challenge. It appears over half of women questioned are experiencing regular symptoms of... Read More

x As exam time is approaching, we all know that hard work is one of the most important things to help towards exam success. Also, enough sleep, regular study breaks, fresh air, regular physical activity and eating well can all help improve exam performance.Eating well during exam time can help to... Read More

The recent James Bond night in the Nissan Garage in Burlington Business Park, the brain child of Sheila McDermott and Mary Roche, shook the pockets of the ‘ladies’ of the town to support the Arts. The Tullamore Community Arts Centre fundraising is well underway with the last 40K being raised through... Read More

Kilkenny’s Henry Shefflin is set to miss a senior championship match for the first time since 1999. The 11 time All-Star has been ruled out of the Leinster Championship quarterfinal clash with Offaly because of a stress fracture to his foot He spoke about his injury at the launch of the Lucozade... Read More

A new spin-out company from NUI Maynooth has demonstrated that it is possible to increase intelligence levels and has developed an online programme which can measurably increase intellectual ability. The company, ‘Raise Your IQ’, has developed the ‘SMART’ (Strengthening Mental Abilities with... Read More

IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Chairman Harold Kingston has described the decision by the Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney and Environment Minister Phil Hogan to relax measures in the nitrates regulations as an important support to farmers who are trying to avoid a further fodder shortage again... Read More

AIB has been described as 'caught in the middle' of a legal dispute between well known Dublin developer David Agar and his former Westmeath business partner George Tracey.The row revolves around a return on a one million euro investment in a Japanese property fund run by the bank.Our Courts... Read More

Athlone Town FC has signed a multi year deal with a Spanish Sportwear Firm. Joma will provide the club with its playing kit and leisurewear. The company produces gear for Valencia and Florentia among others It will also partner the renovation and imporvement of the club sport shop at Athlone Town... Read More

The Chairman of Offaly County Council Peter Ormond says tomorrow's funeral of the Offaly woman murdered in Wales will help her family somewhat.37 year old Catherine Gowing - from Clonlee near Birr - had been working as a vet near Mold in Flintshire when she disappeared last October.Her remains were... Read More

The Midlands first 2013 baby was born in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.Rosita Murray welcomed her little girl into the world at half past 1 in the morning.The regions second baby was also born in PortlaoiseCiara O'Brien from Ballickmoyler in Laois gave birth to a boy at 6.15.Meanwhile... Read More

A charity in the midlands wants your unwanted Christmas gifts.The overseas development agency Gorta is appealing for donations at its shop at 5 Kelton House Portlaoise.It says all items - big and small - would be gratefully accepted.Gorta's Deirdre Kingston says donations are extremely important to... Read More

The Country's oldest person will be laid to rest tomorrow.Mary Kate Byrne, more commonly known as Polly, passed away at home in Maganey in Co Laois on New Years Eve.She was 108 years old.Her remains are reposing at her home with removal this evening at 7.15 to St Abban's Church Killeen to arrive at... Read More

House prices are continuing to fall here in the MidlandsHowever two reports out this morning show that the sector in general is beginning to stabilise.According to figures from the property websites My Home.ie and Daft.ie, prices continued to fall during the last three months of 2012 - but the rate... Read More

Just 2 families out of 600 thousand have opted to give up Child BenefitRyanair boss Michael O'Leary from Mullingar had been a critic of the allowance.He called it a subsidy for people to have sex.The Father of 4 would hade been entitled to 588 Euro a month in 2012 and 530 in 2013.A spokesperson for... Read More

Murdered Offaly woman, Catherine Gowing, is to be buried tomorrow. Remains belonging to the 37-year-old were found last October and November, after she vanished from her home in Wales. Her body will be removed to Kinnitty Church this evening to arrive at 9 o'clock The Vet will be buried in St... Read More

Ireland's oldest woman has died Mary Kate Byrne was a resident of Maganey in Co Laois She passed away today, aged 108 Also known as Poppy, Mary Kate was born on August 14th... Read More

The Daingean Homecoming New Years Eve Parade takes place this eveningCrowds will walk through the town and end up at the Christmas tree where they'll sing carols and hymns.Organisers are encouraging locals and visitors to attend.The Parade begins at... Read More

Ireland's oldest person has diedMary Kate Byrne from Maganey in Co Laois was born on the 14th of August 1904.She passed away today, aged 108 at home surrounded by her family.Cllr John Moran lives nearby.He says Mary Kate kept her faculties' right to the... Read More

A Laois farmer has violently lost 14 sheep over the Christmas period.2 dogs attacked the flock of Henry Burns in Mountmellick last Thursday.6 were initially lost but 8 others had to later be put down because of the severity of injuries sustained.All were in lamb.It's understood up to 40 sheep were... Read More

Met Eireann is warning that the Midlands could face damaging gusts of wind today and tonight.A weather warning has been issued with southerly gales expected to gust to between 90 and 115 km/h in Leinster up until 9pm.Wind speeds could top 130 km/h in parts of the west and northwest.The Road Safety... Read More

Fine Gael Party Chairman Charlie Flanagan is calling on Sinn Féin's Dessie Ellis to "come clean" on any involvement he had in killings carried out during the Troubles. The Irish Independent today reports that secret internal communications within the British government - released under the 30 year... Read More

A major challenge facing Irish tourism is to attract visitors to areas outside the capital.That is according to the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation which has released figures for 2012.According to its latest report, there were close to 6.5 million visitors from overseas, with around 2 per cent... Read More

The Ultimate Strongman competition held in Mullingar last August screens tonight.Over 3,200 people attended the event at Columb Barracks.The County Council, Fáilte Ireland and the Chamber of Commerce have branded it as a hugely positive experience for the town.The copetition airs tonight at 10... Read More

Vintage cars, trucks, motorbikes and tractors big and small will take to the streets this morning for the Tullamore Tractor Run. The event is in aid of Cancer Care at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore. Those taking part will assemble at the Tanyard from 10am sharp before meeting there... Read More

Sinn Fein is accusing the Environment Minister of spinning household charge figures into the New Year.Phil Hogan claims that 70% have paid the fee which shows critics were wrong about how much would be collected.However Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley says the levy has been a disaster.He says 30% of... Read More

Actor Robert Sheehan is a new ambassador for the Dunamaise arts centre in Portlaoise.The 24 year old was mobbed this afternoon by over two hundred people, many of them teenage girls, who were thrilled to see the Love Hate star home for Christmas.They attended the theatre where he launched a... Read More

Police are reiterating their appeal for help in finding a missing Westmeath man in the UK.Retired Horse Trainer Owen Brennan, originally from Castlepollard was last seen at his home in Derby on December 17th.Officers are concerned as the 77 year old suffers from memory lose since a stroke 3 months... Read More

The Road Safety Authority is warning drivers to be careful today with more gale force winds expected in many areas.Met Eireann says the outlook for the weekend is extremely windy - with very strong southerly and southwesterly winds.Brian Farrell is the Communications Manager at the Road Safety... Read More

The Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise is hoping support by local actor Robert Sheehan will boost its coffers.The Love Hate star is this afternoon launching the organisations latest fundraising drive 'Red or Black'The event will be held on March 15th.The Centre says is has a cash deficit of 24... Read More

Teachers unions are reacting angrily to Brendan Howlin's promise that the Government is determined to get rid of poor performers in the public sector, including bad teachers.The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform told the Irish Independent that it's not acceptable for parents to be paying... Read More

Former Connacht and Ireland number eight Noel Mannion feels the Westerners should be aiming to finish higher in the Rabo Direct 12Eric Elwood's side suffered a 16-12 defeat to an understrength Munster side in Saturday's Inter Pro derby in GalwayThe result leaves Connacht in 10th place with the other... Read More

Rochfortbridge's Jake Byrne is hoping to put the disappointing end to his cross country season behind him and earn a place on the Irish team for the Europeans in Finland next summerThe Mullingar Harriers athlete is in his sophomore year at Iona College in New York and a knee injury hampered his run... Read More

New Laois hurling manager Seamus Plunkett is set to have the support of players and clubs in the O'Moore County - that's according to the Laois Nationalist's Pat DelaneyPlunkett took the reigns last week after a long search to find a new manager and he'll be hoping to be able to call upon all the... Read More

Midlands103 has made contact with Santa Claus,The man in Red is travelling the world - delivering presents tonight to children all over the globe.Will Faulkner from the Midlands Today has linked up with Santa via satellite telephone.Children are talking to Mr Claus about what they're hoping to... Read More

Niall Breslin and a host of other musicians will be singing in Mullingar this afternoon.The busking session at Market Square takes place between 3 and 6.It's all in aid of LARCC.General Manager of the Cancer Support Centre Bernie McHugh says the sing song lead by Bressie gives a big voice to the... Read More

Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley says the Social Protection Minister's hit out at the Economic Management Council is further proof of tensions within the Government .Joan Burton's not happy that big departments like her own, Education and Health aren't included in the group.The Taoiseach, Tanaiste and... Read More

Offaly's Kieran Davren is the new Irish welterweight mixed martials championHe secured the title on Saturday night by locking in an armbar takedown to defeat Jason Smyth inside the second minute of the main event of the Celtic Gladiator card in GalwayDavren will defend the title in the New Year at... Read More

Midland soldiers are among the 440 personnel serving overseas this Christmas.The Irish Defence Forces are on 17 missions across 12 different countries including Kosovo, Bosnia, Lebanon and Uganda.The troops in Camp Shamrock in Lebanon will have a traditional Irish Christmas dinner prepared by... Read More

The Minister of State, Shane McEntee, will be laid to rest today, following his funeral mass in St. John the Baptist Church in Nobber in Co. Meath.The 56 year old was found dead in his home on Friday morning.He's survived by his wife Kathleen, his children Aoife, Vincent, Helen and Sally, and his... Read More

Scores of people are visiting a live crib in Rathdowney.4 Donkeys, 2 sheep, 2 goats as well as the nativity scene are in 2 forty-foot containers at the Square in the town.Local man Michael Creagh says people love it....... Read More

Two people have been arrested following a drugs bust in Athlone. Local Gardaí stopped and searched a car on Lyster Street shortly before 10 this morning as part of an ongoing operation. They arrested a 25 year old woman and seized half a kilo of heroin worth €75,000. A 29 year old man was later... Read More

Recorded incidents of burglaries and fraud are on the rise.That's according to the latest stats for the Eastern Garda Region which takes in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.Ruaidhrí Kelly has the... Read More

Ericssons is being criticised for issuing 40 workers at its plant in Athlone with mandatory redundancies.Last month the company announced it was laying off 100 of its 700 staff at Blyry.It said it had hoped to achieve the cutbacks on a voluntary basis however it didn't receive enough applications.... Read More

The Irish Farmer's association is expressing it's condolences to Mr McEntee's Family.Regional Vice Chairman and Laois Man Jer Bergin is describing the Minister as tough but fair to deal with.He say's he's horrified by his sudden... Read More

The Tullamore New York lottery winner has struck a deal with her American ex husband.Trisha Eisel's winnings had been frozen since 2011 because of a row with her ex Jamie who was looking for half of the jackpot.Trish scooped $21.5m last January, however because she opted for a lump sum, that dropped... Read More

Junior minister Shane McEntee has diedThe Meath East TD was 56 years old.In a statement the Government says the Fine Gael politician from Nobber died suddenly.Aisling O'Rourke... Read More

Tiny Dancer - A Song for Lily Mae - has just been beaten in the race to become Ireland's Christmas Number 1 by XFactor's James Arthur.The track aims to raise money for four-year-old Lily Mae Morrison from Galway who's suffering from an aggressive form of cancer known as Neuroblastoma.Mullingar man... Read More

An unknown number of workers at Ericsson in Athlone have been told they are to lose their jobs. On November the 8th last, the telecommunications giant announced it was axing 100 positions out of its 700 strong workforce. It said it had hoped the cutbacks would be through voluntary redundancies.... Read More

Seven men are due before the courts today in connection with a mult-million euro haul of of cannabis.It follows a major crackdown across the country that included raids here in the Midlands.The estimated street value of the haul is in the region of €4.6m. As part of Operation Nitrogen, plants worth... Read More

The HSE midland area Midoc service is an urgent out-of-hours family doctor service operating in Westmeath, Laois, Offaly, and Longford. It is important for people to remember that Midoc is not a drop-in service, and should only be used for cases that cannot wait for the next routine surgery. You can... Read More

Westmeath County Council has announced its capital investment programme for the next three years. The local authority aims to spend around €82.5m on roads, environment, housing water and miscellaneous projects between now and 2015, but many of those schemes depend on money being available from a... Read More

Laois Offaly TD Sean Fleming says members of the Oireachtas Finance Committee will today seek answers from Bank of Ireland about its credit card hike. Customers with a clear card have seen the rate go from 13.8 per cent to 17.8 per cent. The bank's 'Public Interest Directors' are due to come before... Read More

Gardaí have uncovered cannabis grow houses in counties Westmeath, Laois and Longford. It follows a coordinated operation targeting seven locations across the country. Ten people have been arrested and the drugs seized are worth in excess of €4.6m. The crackdown forms part of Operation Nitrogen and... Read More

Only a third of students will have received their college grant by Christmas. The Irish Examiner says just 13,500 students will have been paid before the festive season. A month ago, the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn said the agency tasked with processing the grants, SUSI, would pay out on 33,... Read More

A cannabis growhouse has been found in Co. Laois. The Garda Local Drugs Unit swooped on a property in Vicarstown last evening. There they discovered cannabis plants and cultivation equipment. A technical team is at the scene this morning and as of yet, there is no estimated value on the find. Two... Read More

An Post sorting offices in Portlaoise, Athlone, Cork and Dublin are handling over seven million items a day.That is up for the daily average of 2.5 million.Seasonal staff were hired form early December to help deal with the increase.... Read More

Offaly County Council has backed William Grant and Sons ambitious plans to bring Tullamore Dew home.The authority has given the green light for a 35 million euro plant in Clonminch.The annoucement to construct a new plant earlier this year was largely welcomed in the town - an area hard hit by the... Read More

The founder of a soup kitchen in Athlone says he is expecting as many as 60 people through the doors on Christmas Day.Oliver Williams opened the Twist Soup Kitchen on Sean Costello Street last month.Similar operations exist in Roscommon and Galway.The Athenry native spent time on the streets in... Read More

Power is out in just under 300 homes in the Clonminch area of Tullamore. Since first light, ESB crews have been been trying to identify the source of the problem. It is believed the fault is as a result of strong winds overnight. A spokesperson for ESB says it is not known at this stage when... Read More

Westmeath County Council is to write to the Minister for Justice asking him to reverse the decision to close four rural garda stations. On budget day, Alan Shatter announced he was shutting stations in Rathowen, Castletown Geoghegan, Ballinahown and Finnea. Three rural councillors put forward the... Read More

Laois County Council has announced that a number of major road projects will begin next year. Work will commence on the N80 Kyletalesha Junction upgrade now that land acquisitions have been agreed and funds are available through the NRA. The extension of the Carlow Northern Relief Road from the... Read More

UK Police are searching for a missing horse trainer who is originally from Castletown Geoghegan in Co. Westmeath. Owen Brennan was last seen at his home on Wheeldon Avenue in Derby at 4.45 on Monday. The 77 year old suffered a stroke three months ago and has memory loss. Police are carrying out a... Read More

Thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral of GAA star Páidí Ó Sé in Co. Kerry today.The 57-year-old father of three died suddenly last weekend at his home in Ventry near Dingle.Prominent figures from the worlds of sport and politics are expected to pay their final respects today to the... Read More

A balanced budget in what has been a difficult year - that is the reaction of Offaly County Councillor Connie Hanniffy to the authority's planned finances for 2013 which have been adopted. The council finishes 2012 with a €5.5m deficit and has been subjected to a 0.57 per cent reduction in its local... Read More

Gardaí say they are satisfied that a fire which broke out in a pub in Clara this morning was not malicious. Firefighters from Tullamore and Clara were called to Bunny's Bar at around 4am to deal with a blaze in the beer garden. Garda scenes of crime experts carried out a forensic examination of the... Read More

Laois County Council could still recoup some of its lost local government grant for 2012 if another 400 people pay the household charge.That is according to Cathaoirleach Paul Mitchell who has been speaking after the local authority adopted next year's draft budget which sees expenditure cut by over... Read More

A Westmeath man convicted of raping a 23 year old woman after claiming to be gay and luring her to his house is to be sentenced today.The 46-year-old had pleaded not guilty to rape, sexual assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill on January 8th 2010.The jury found him guilty on all... Read More

A 46 year old chef who falsely imprisoned, raped and orally raped a woman he met in a nightclub in Co Westmeath has been jailed for 8 years. Samir Mansour, is originally from Tunisia but lives at Windmill Hill, Prospect, Mullingar, where the attack took place on January 8th 2010. Mansour met his 19... Read More

A Midlands Businessman is inviting experts to view a piece of artwork he believes is by one of Italy's neoclassical sculptors.Christy Maye bought the Penitent Magdalene for 5 thousand Euro at an auction in Kilkenny in 1998 and has been researching its history ever sinceHe thinks it's the work of... Read More

Tullamore Boxing Club has been granted permission to purchase land at Srah for 1 euro.The orgnisation wants to expand its current HQ - taking into account the recent upsurge in interest the sport.It hopes to build new dressing rooms and new training facilities.Tullamore Town Councillors uninamously... Read More

The Government has to date paid out 271 thousand Euro to turf cutters in Laois and Offaly229 applications for compensation have been submitted from the 2 counties.The majority at 131 are looking for a financial payment the remainder are seeking relocation.The Minister for Arts Heritage and The... Read More

The coalition is facing another tough week - with the possibility Senators could delay the implementation of the social welfare cuts.Laois Senator John Whelan has met with senior party members and also constituents over the weekend.It's understood he's likely to vote with government on the Social... Read More

The Irish Cancer Society says it's worried some cancer patients may stop getting treatment - because many hospitals are now charging 75 euro for each round of chemotherapy.The groups head of Advocacy Kathleen O'Meara from Shinrone Co Offaly says the patients affected are those who don't qualify for... Read More

Mullingar's first ever youth café opens its doors to the public today.Local band 'The Academic' is to perform to mark the occasion.All teenagers are invited to come along between 2 and 6 to check out the building's facilities which include a chill out zone, a pool room, a computer and IT area and a... Read More

Athlone Community College have won the North Leinster Schools Post Primary Senior Football League title Athlone overcame St Mels, Longford by 2-13 to 0-11 in today's final at Kiltoom Gallen Community School, Ferbane set up a meeting with Cnoc Mhuire, Granard in the Leinster Vocational Schools Junior... Read More

The wife and cousin of Mullingar Olympian John Joe Nevin have appeared before Judge Seamus Hughes, summonsed following an illegal house-to-house collection.Mullingar District Court heard that Mary and Marie Nevin had no permit for the collection they carried out on April 20 this year to raise funds... Read More

Fianna Fáil's Local Government Spokesperson Barry Cowen is accusing the Government of steamrolling the new property tax through the Dáil. New legislation giving effect to the measure will be voted on today despite it not needing to be in place until next July. Homeowners will pay only half a year's... Read More

A decision is expected to be announced today on plans to bring Tullamore Dew back to the town.If given the green light the new plant on the outskirts of Tullamore at Clonminch will create 100 construction jobs and 15 permanent positions.William Grant and Sons proposes to build the state of the art... Read More

One man has died and two are in a serious condition at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Mullingar this morning following a three car crash in Co. Longford. The collision happened at around 5 last evening on the N5 between Longford and Tarmonbarry close to Longford Town Football Club. Three men in... Read More

A charity CD will be launched in Mullingar tonight to mark the Gathering 2013.The compilation album includes a host of local artists - with funds raised going towards the Temporary Emergency Accommodation Mullingar group.It's hoped Music Gathering Mullingar 2013 will be the first of a number of... Read More

Over 18 % of Midland Students walked to school in 2011That's according to the Central Statitstics Office.It claims that 17% of primary pupils and 19.6% of secondary students went by foot in Laois Offaly and Westmeath56 per cent got to school by car, almost 24% by bus and just over 1 per cent... Read More

As Leinster House finalises the social welfare bill Sinn Féin will host a meeting to discuss budget 2013 in Athlone.The party will discuss its alternative budget proposals.It agrues there is a fairer better way.Local Cllr Paul Hogan and Senator Senator David Cullinane will adress the gathering.The... Read More

A judge at Athlone District Court has labelled a young woman a 'tinker'. Judge Seamus Hughes made the comments yesterday in a case involving twenty-three year old Catherine Joyce of Battery Heights, Athlone who was charged with hitting another woman in the face with a pint glass last year. She was... Read More

A young Co. Offaly man, on trial for assaulting a Garda in the line of duty, has been found guilty at Tullamore Circuit Court.The 22 year old's been sentenced to four years in jail with the final 18 months suspended.Ruaidhrí Kelly... Read More

There is disruption to the water supply in parts of Westmeath today. It comes as the local authority is carrying out essential repairs to leaks on the network. Customers in Ballymore, Moyvore and Moyvoughley and the Oakhill and Gleann Duchais Estates in Moate are affected. Westmeath County Council... Read More

The man accused of killing Aoife Phelan is due before the courts today. Robert Corbet of Sheffield Cross, Timahoe Road, Portlaoise is accused of murdering the Cashel Ballyroan native at Capoley, Portlaoise, on October 25th. The 30 year old au pair's remains were uncovered at the back of a house on... Read More

Government TDs are rallying behind cuts to child benefit and the Respite Care Grant. The first stage of the Social Welfare Bill passed through the Dáil last night with the support of all Labour and Fine Gael deputies. The remaining stages of the bill will be rushed through the house later today as... Read More

Shannonside Sub Aqua has found a 2nd historic sword.Last September the group discovered a 1000 year old Viking weapon.Just weeks later Robert O'Meara during a night dive came across another piece of metal nearbyIn recent days that's been confirmed as a sword dating back to between the 5th and 7th... Read More

The Abbeyleix Hospital Action Committee is demanding a decision on the fate of the Community Nursing Unit.The Fine Gael Chairman Charlie Flanagan says that after a meeting with the Health Minister about the facility he's more confident that its future is secure.12 months ago the HSE announced that... Read More

A special helpline has been set up for people who have been reported missing and want to stay missing - to enable them to let their families know they're alive and well.Thousands of Missing Persons reports are received by Gardai each year, and while no official statistics are available, it's... Read More

Sinn Féin's Brian Stanley says disaffected Labour backbenchers today have the chance to take a stance against budget cuts. Deputies are preparing to vote on a motion of no confidence in the Government which states that the coalition partners have failed in their obligations to make political... Read More

Laois Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan says he's now more confident than hopeful that a favourable decision will be made on future of Abbeyleix Community Nursing Unit It comes after 12 months of uncertainty following a HSE announcement in November of 2011 that the facility would close. That decision was... Read More

A Fianna Fail TD is seeking an urgent meeting of Westmeath's Joint Policing Committee following the Justice Minister's decision to shut 4 Garda Stations in the County.Alan Shatter has announced that Ballinahown, Castletown Geoghegan, Finea and Rathowen are to close as are Ballacolla and Ballinakill... Read More

Gaeltech Energy Developments has lodged a planning application with Offaly County Council to build ten wind turbines. The company proposes to erect the structures of 170 metres in height and rotor diameter of 120 metres on lands in Stonestown, Kilcamin, Crancreagh and Derrinlough in Cloghan. The... Read More

GAA Gerry Kavanagh has been appointed as the new Laois GAA Chairman following last night's Annual Convention in Portlaoise. The Stradbally clubman was elected unopposed by delegates to the role, succeeding Brian Allen. It had been thought that outgoing Vice-Chairman Kavanagh would be in competition... Read More

A 19 year old charged in connection with damage caused to St. Paul's Church of Ireland in Banagher will reappear before the courts next February.Jason Hoban of 9 Middle Road Banagher has been on bail since the incident on September 28th last.The vestry was set ablaze however Gardaí and the Fire... Read More

The Revenue Commissioners has published its latest list of tax defaulters.It details 113 settlements in the three months to the end of last September totalling 21.35 million euro - Six of those are relating to Midlands residents. Liam Murtagh of Monaghanstown Castletown Geoghan County Westmeath has... Read More

A garda is being questioned about an alleged sexual assault in the Midlands.The man, who has been suspended by the Garda Commissioner, was arrested by investigators from the Garda Ombudsman Commission. He is the first Garda to be arrested by the commission since it was set up in 2007 to deal with... Read More

Sub zero road temperatures are persisting through much of the Midlands following another bitterly cold start.It remains icy around Mullingar town and on the N52 Birr/Tullamore Rd while it's thawing on the old Galway road between Athlone and Ballinasloe.Elsewhere, surfaces remain below zero on the M7... Read More

Drivers are facing higher toll charges in the New Year.The National Roads Authority says prices will rise on nine of 12 tolled routes - including three here in the Midlands which will see 10 cent increases.The toll on the M4 at Enfield will rise to 2.90, drivers using the M6 outside Ballinasloe will... Read More

The state will ultimately pick up the bill for the cost of cutting the Respite Care Grant.That's the warning from the Tullamore-based Carers' Association which says more than two hundred family carers will descend on the Dáil today to protest against the 19 per cent reduction to the payment.Today's... Read More

A teenager is due before Birr District Court today in connection with damage caused to St. Paul's Church of Ireland in Banagher.The incident which occurred on September 28th last saw the vestry set ablaze.A local alerted Gardaí and the Fire Services ensuring there was not significant damage to other... Read More

Employment barriers for parents and people with disabilities need to be tackled if we're to reduce the level of jobless households in Ireland.The comments come from an associate professor at the ESRI - which has released new research, highlighting that 22 per cent of the population here lives in a... Read More

Mullingar's Conor Gilsenan completed 80 minutes in Leinster A's 18-12 loss to Munster A at Donnybrook The Irish Under 20 flanker is coming back from an ankle injury sustained at the IRB Under 20 World Cup this summer Ronan O'Mahony and Sean Henry scored the Munster tries with the rest of points from... Read More

Gardai searching for missing Laois woman Aoife Phelan have found a body. The discovery was made during searches at a site on the Timahoe road. The 30 year old au pair from Cashel, Ballyroan disappeared on October 25th after leaving a house in Portlaoise. Gardai have released without charge a man... Read More

It's understood gardai investigating the disappearance of missing Laois woman Aoife Phelan have made a signicant find in Portlaoise. A dig is underway at a house outside of the town on the Timahoe road. The area has beens sealed off. Meanwhile Searches of the River Barrow in Monasterevin, Co.... Read More

Firefighters have quenched a blaze at a pub in Co Offaly. The fire at Kavanaghs - on the border of Birr and Kinnitty - broke out earlier this morning. Emergency services received the call at a quarter to 5 No one has been injured. The pub itself has been extensively damaged. The main road between... Read More