Below are the recent local deaths.
May they rest in peace.
Sylvia Mary Mathews (née Kellett)
Station Road, Portarlington, Laois
Sylvia Mary Mathews late of Station Road Portarlington and of Wilton, Main Street Portarlington County Laois who passed away on the 13th January 2026 in her 108th year peacefully in the loving and wonderful care of the staff of St Martha’s Ward at St Vincent’s Community Nursing Unit Mountmellick. Beloved wife of the late Cecil G. Mathews and mother of Stuart and Susan, grandmother of Amanda, Nicola, Charles and Nicholas, great-grandmother to Willow, Isla, William, Imogen, Anders and Theodore.
Funeral arriving St Paul’s Church, Portarlington on Thursday 22nd January for Funeral Service at 2pm. Burial afterwards in the adjoining Churchyard.
Dick Downey
Clondarrig, Portlaoise, Laois
Downey, Clondarrig, Portlaoise – 17th January 2026
Passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of Kathleen, and dearly loved father to Elaine, Caitriona, John and Richard, and cherished grandfather to all his grandchildren.
Deeply regretted by his loving family; sisters Lucy and Eileen; sons-in-law Jim and Noel; daughters-in-law Karen and Martina; in-laws, neighbours, relatives and friends. Predeceased by his parents Ellen and John, his brothers Michael and Johnny, and his sister Mary.
Reposing at Keegan’s Funeral Home, Portlaoise, on Monday from 6.pm until 8 pm. with rosary at 7.30 pm. On Tuesday funeral arriving at St Fintans church Ballyfin for 11 am requiem mass. Interment will follow in Clondarrig Cemetery.
Mass may be viewed on Ballyfin Parish webcam https://www.mountrathparish.ie/Profile/ballyfin
House private please.
Elizabeth Bennett (née Creane)
Askea House, Vicarstown, Laois/Gorey, Wexford
Formerly of Ballycanew, Gorey, County Wexford. Peacefully in the loving care of the staff of Carnew Nursing Home County Wicklow. Predeceased by her husband Peter, her father Thomas and mother Eileen. Deeply regretted by her loving son Adrian, sisters Patricia and Mary, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Reposing at Mahers Chapel of Rest, Portarlington (eircode R32 X5XV) on Sunday evening from 4pm with Rosary at 7pm. Removal on Monday morning at 10:15am arriving The Church of The Assumption, Vicarstown (eircode R32 N803) for Requiem Mass at 11am. Funeral afterwards to Moyanna Cemetery.
John Dollard
Ballagh, Errill, Laois
John Dollard, Ballagh, Errill, Co. Laois January 15th. 2026, peacefully in the Oak Ward at University Hospital Waterford in the presence of those he loved. Predeceased by his adored mother Peg. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his heartbroken children Shane and Emma, his father Séan, daughter-in-law Eileen, grandchildren Annie, Tommy and Teddy, his partner Michelle, sisters Breda, Allison, Christine and Lorraine, brothers Michael and Eamon, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, extended family in Waterford, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
In keeping with John’s wishes he will repose privately at home. Removal on Monday morning January 19th from his residence to the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Rathdowney arriving for Requiem Mass at 10 o’clock followed by cremation at the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork at 2 pm.
John’s funeral Mass can be viewed by pressing the following link https://www.parishwebsites.ie/rathdowney/ The link for his cremation will follow. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to the Palliative Care Team in the Oak Ward at University Hospital Waterford.
Patrick Carton
Chantiere Gate, Portlaoise, Laois
Patrick Carton, Chantiere Gate Portlaoise Co.Laois. Died 16th January 2026. Peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Deeply regretted by his son Paul, daughter Marian, son-in-law Kevin, grandchildren, Cormac, Brian and Fergus, sister-in-law Phil, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Reposing at Keegan’s Funeral Home on Sunday 18th January from 4pm till 5pm. Requiem mass on Monday at 11am in SS Peter and Paul’s Church Portlaoise followed by interment in SS Peter and Paul’s cemetery.
Patrick’s family would like to extend a sincere thanks to the staff at St Martha’s Ward in Mountmellick Community Hospital for the great care and love shown to Patrick during his time there.
Catherine O’Shaughnessy (née Lambe)
Ealing, London and formerly of The Heath, Portlaoise, Laois
Catherine O’Shaughnessy Nee Lambe Of Ealing, London. Previously The Heath, Portlaoise. Died at Northwick Park Hospital on 10.01.2026 with her children by her side.
Predeceased by her husband Patrick and her brothers Mick, Tom, Andy, Pat and Tony. Deeply missed by her daughter Michelle and her husband Steve, her son Stephen, her grand children, Zara, Kayleigh and Bradley, her great grandchildren John Jnr and Erin, her brothers Jim, Jack, Billy, Ollie and Noel and her sisters Mary, Minnie, Bridie and Betty.
She will be deeply missed by many. Funeral Details: https://catherineoshaughnessy.muchloved.com/
Wednesday 21st January 2026, 10am Our Lady and St Joseph’s Church, Hanwell, W7 3SU and will be live streamed via Parish Website: https://www.youtube.com/@cbarrochado
And 12:15 Committal at Breakspear Crematorium, Breakspear Rd, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 7SJ.
SEE ALSO – Deaths in Laois – Saturday, January 17, 2026
