Alan Hartnett
Stradbally native Alan Hartnett is a graduate of Knockbeg College who has worked in the local and national media since 2008. Alan has a BA in Economics, Politics and Law and an MA in Journalism from DCU. His happiest moment was when Jody Dillon scored THAT goal in the Laois senior football final in 2016.
Hospitalisations reach new record as frustrations over vaccination programme surface
The total number of people in hospital with Covid-19 continues to rise sharply, the latest figures show.
A total of 1,582 people are in hospital...
Case of Covid-19 confirmed in Portlaoise Prison as mass testing underway
A positive case of Covid-19 has been confirmed in Portlaoise Prison.
The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that one prisoner, who did not recently enter...
Electric Picnic promoter ‘hugely optimistic’ festival will go ahead this year
The promoter of the Electric Picnic says he is 'hugely optimistic' that the festival will go ahead this year.
For the first time since it...
Laois woman calls on people to ‘get moving’ to support student nurses in Portlaoise...
A Laois woman is calling on people to 'get moving' as her Instagram-based fundraiser for student nurses in Portlaoise Hospital took off over the...
Laois student receives prestigious University of Limerick scholarship
A Portlaoise CBS student has been awarded a prestigious University of Limerick scholarship.
St Mary’s CBS past pupil Jordan Ikpomwen, who did his Leaving Cert...
The Week that Was: Our most read stories of the past seven days
1 - Laois Leaving Cert student launches petition calling on Minister Foley to reverse 3-day week decision
A Laois Sixth Year student launched a petition...
Closing date for applications for Sports Capital Grants extended
The closing date for applications for Sports Capital Grants have been extended.
Minister for State in the Department of Finance, Sean Fleming, confirmed that the...
Glory for Laois student as first ever virtual BT Young Scientist Exhibition
Over 1,000 students from across the island of Ireland took part in the first ever virtual BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.
The event this...
Coronavirus: 20 additional deaths and 8,248 new cases – 55 in Laois – as...
There have been a further 20 Coronavirus-related deaths and a massive 8,248 new cases, according to figures released by the health authorities this evening.
Of...
Laois bank forced to close following suspected Covid-19 outbreak
A Laois bank has been forced to close temporarily following a suspected Covid-19 outbreak among staff members.
AIB in Lyster Square in Portlaoise has been...
Laois TD becomes one of the first politicians to receive Covid-19 vaccine in Ireland
A Laois TD became one of the first politicians in Ireland to receive the Covid-19 vaccine yesterday.
Independent TD for Kildare South, Cathal Berry, who...
Nine Laois towns and villages to benefit from €383,000 in funding
€383,375 has been allocated for improvements to towns and villages across Laois under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
A total of nine communities in...
Boost for Laois hurlers as two key forwards return to panel
There has been a boost for the Laois hurlers as two key forwards have committed to the panel for 2021.
Ballinakill's Cha Dwyer and Borris-Kilcotton's...
Gardai in Laois make arrest and seize a drone, drugs and mobile phones
Gardaí have arrested a man in his 20s in Portlaoise following the seizure of a number of items recently.
They discovered a drone along with...
Calls for vaccination of teachers and school staff to be ‘fast-tracked’
Laois-Offaly TD Barry Cowen has called for the vaccination of teachers and school staff to be 'fast-tracked'.
In a letter to Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Mr...
In Pictures: Some much needed fun as first snowfall of 2021 hits Laois
We put the shout out, and as usual, you did not disappoint.
While the snow didn't arrive over Christmas, most of us woke up to...
Coronavirus: 10 additional deaths and 6,521 new cases – 82 in Laois – as...
There have been a further 10 Coronavirus-related deaths and a massive 6,521 new cases, according to figures released by the health authorities this evening.
Of...
Historic day as Portlaoise Hospital starts Covid-19 staff vaccination programme
Aidel Aurel Casabar, Staff Nurse at the A&E in Portlaoise Hospital in Laois is the first person to be vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech...
Laois Leaving Cert student launches petition calling on Minister Foley to reverse 3-day week...
A Laois Sixth Year student has launched a petition calling on the Minister for Education to reverse yesterday's decision regarding a three-day week for...
Laois GAA club unveil €300,000 plan for new pitches and facilities
A Laois GAA club have unveiled plans to build two brand new pitches, ball wall and a training area.
Clough-Ballacolla, who have their home grounds...
Residents planning legal action as permission for Portlaoise waste plant granted
Residents near where an anaerobic digestion facility is set to be constructed in Laois are planning to mount a legal challenge to An Bord...
Local senator throws his support behind quest for new building for Laois secondary school
Labour Senator Mark Wall has thrown his support behind the ongoing campaign to see Colaiste Iosagain in Portarlington receive a new building.
According to the...
Coronavirus: 17 additional deaths and 7,836 new cases – 107 in Laois – as...
There have been a further 17 Coronavirus-related deaths and a massive 7,836 new cases, according to figures released by the health authorities this evening.
Of...
Government announce new additional Covid-19 restrictions as cases continue to surge
The government have announced a raft of additional Covid-19 restrictions aimed at further curbing the spread of the virus in the country.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin...
BREAKING: Portlaoise Hospital cease ‘all inpatient, day case and outpatient services’ due to Covid-19...
Given the rising numbers of community transmission of Covid-19, the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise have taken the decision this week to cease all non-time...
Laois man appointed chairperson of Kilkenny Tourism
A Laois man has been appointed as the new chairman of Kilkenny Tourism.
Ciaran Conroy, from Portlaoise, joins the body which strives to increase the...
CONFIRMED: Staff at Portlaoise Hospital to receive Covid-19 vaccine this week
The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, of which Portlaoise Hospital is a member, has confirmed that staff in the Laois hospital will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech...
Nursing Home CEO praises staff as Covid-19 battle continues
The CEO of Brookhaven Healthcare, which manages Droimnin Nursing Home in Stradbally, has praised the efforts of staff in trying to manage the Covid-19...
Two Laois clubs appoint new managers ahead of 2021 season
Two Laois football clubs have appointed new managers ahead of the 2021 season.
Joe Higgins has stepped down as St Joseph's boss but his replacement...
Gardai seek owners of recovered quads and issue advice for people travelling for Covid-19...
Gardai in Laois are hoping to reunite owners with quads that they recovered recently.
Following searches at properties, Gardai in Portlaoise found two Honda Quads...