In case you missed it: top five stories in Laois this week

This past week, the Leinster Express / Laois Live reporters covered a wide range of stories, bringing updates to Laois locals as they happened.

In case you missed it, here's a weekly roundup of our top five stories in Laois this week.

Father and son appear in Portlaoise court following dispute over land

Bail was granted to a man who appeared in court accused of breaching a safety order against his father in a dispute over land. 

The man (27), who has a midlands address and cannot be named due to the nature of proceedings, was accused of breaching a safety order at his address on March 21, 2026. 

A Garda told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the breach was over a “dispute in relation to the rights to land at a farm”. He said the father is “fearful” following the third allegation of a safety order breach. 

He said a will had been left in relation to a house and farm which stipulated that the son was entitled to both but the father had a right to live there for the rest of his life. The will was made by the son’s grandmother in 2024. To read the full story, click the link above.

Fuel prices around Laois skyrocket as Government meet on support packages

With Iran's blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route internationally, Laois locals have felt the impacts of rising fuel costs.

The price of home heating has rocketed, along with the costs of petrol, diesel and kerosene in the county. The Leinster Express / Laois Live documented fuel prices in petrol stations across Portlaoise, ahead of the Government's meeting to  discuss supports amid the fuel crisis. 

To read more on how the fuel crisis has affected Laois locals, click the link above.

Second property in Laois village gets planning approval for IPAS use

Plans to convert a pub and guesthouse for use as asylum accommodation have been conditionally approved by Laois County Council. 

It’s the second such plan to be approved for a pub owner on the same street in Durrow in recent days. 

Marc Lennon sought permission for the development at Lennon's Bar, Mary Street, Durrow in July last year. The application, along with a similar application for Peader’s Bar, prompted local residents to hold public meetings in Durrow. The plan attracted 140 submissions. Full story in article linked above.

'Wow, what a finish'- Laois' Justin McNulty on Paul Kingston’s moment of magic against Down

Laois senior football manager Justin McNulty praised his side’s character after they produced a dramatic comeback victory over Down in Newry to close out their Division 3 campaign.

Despite leading by four points at half-time, Laois found themselves six points adrift by the 50th minute before mounting a superb late surge. A decisive spell that yielded 1-6 in 11 minutes ultimately secured a four-point win and handed Down their first defeat of the campaign. To read the full story, click the link above.

Cheers as ribbon cut on 'gold medal' €9m revamped Portlaoise Penneys