Desecrated graves in Portlaoise, GAA boss in helicopter - February 2024 Laois news review

There was deep shock, sadness and anger in Portlaoise at the start of February at the desecration of the graves of local people at SS Peter and Paul's Cemetery.

The vandalism prompted a garda appeal for the public's help to find those responsible for the incident which is believed to have occurred on St Brigid's night.

Visitors discovered broken headstones and other damage to several graves at the cemetery.

Ber McEvoy’s mother and father’s grave were among those vandalised.

“As a family we are devastated. It is just heartbreaking,” she said after seeing the destruction caused to her parents grave.

Meanwhile, Laois GAA coach Justin McNulty was at the centre of a big political row in Northern Ireland over his decision to be on the sideline on a historic day for politics in the six counties.

The SDLP suspended the MLA for Newry and Armagh because he travelled south to Wexford against party orders.

The party says he was told all MLAs were expected to be in Stormont Castle for the entire proceedings when the Assembly met for the first time in two years. But instead of staying, Mr McNulty defied orders and got on a helicopter to be in Wexford for the 6pm throw-in.

The Armagh man wouldn't comment after the game with Ross Munnelly doing the post match Q&A with sports reporters. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Justin McNulty shakes hands with the Wexford manager after the game he partially travelled to in a helicopter.

The outpouring of empathy at the accidental death of beloved Portlaoise teenager David Brown in Easter 2023 was turned into a power for good, to help a little boy hit with serious disabilities.

The kind decision by the grieving Brown family to ask for donations in David's name to buy a 'Trexo for Jamie', had a “lifechanging” impact, as Jamie's mother told the Leinster Express.

“For somebody who in their darkest moment is thinking of someone else... it blows me away,” she said.

“David would be so delighted with Jamie's progress,” his uncle Justin Brown said.

Former Laois Councillor Tom Mulhall’s love for his community and family was recalled at his funeral mass in St Paul's Church, Emo by Fr Tom Dooley.

“Tom was very much from and of the community here in Emo. He was part of the farming, sporting community and political life of the community,” he said.

Towards the end of the month it emerged that Stradbally Hall temporary accommodation would only be used for Ukrainians fleeing war. Its owner Thomas Cosby said its use for international protection applicants would be ‘irresponsible’.

He insisted that cabins that were on the site could contractually only be used for Ukrainians. He had not been approached to vary the terms to extend its use to people seeking asylum in Ireland.

“The deal we have is for Ukrainians which is not transferable to international protection. It’s as simple as that," he said.