A quantity of cash was taken during a robbery which took place in Edgeworthstown this morning (Friday).

The building that houses Longford town’s busy McDonald’s fast food outlet has been put up for sale.

There was a familiar face among the studio audience on RTE’s Prime Time Programme last night, in the form of Longford Chamber of Commerce President Seamus Butler.

Tomorrow (Thursday) sees the start of a four day International Ballooning Festival in Ballymahon.

After nearly a decade and a half of waiting, teachers, parents and schoolchildren at St Mary’s National School in Edgeworthstown received the news they had long been hoping for as governement chiefs this week gave the go-ahead for the construction of a new state-of-the-art school.

Increasing fodder shortages, bad weather and poor ground conditions have left many local farmers struggling to feed cattle and unable to make plans for cutting silage and hay for next winter.

Alan McMonagle from Longford has been receiving great acclaim for his writing, both at home and internationally. The poet, playwright and short fiction writer from College Park has received awards from the Professional Artists Retreat, the Fundacion Valparaiso, the Banff Centre for Creativity and the Arts Council of Ireland. The writer, who is a son of Seamus and Jean, also received his MA in Writing from NUI Galway in 2007.

Despite the fact that Dr Colm O’Reilly is ready to leave his position as Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, having sent his letter of resignation to Pope Benedict nearly two years ago, the Catholic Bishop’s Office has confirmed that Pope Francis has yet to finalise details in relation to the Bishop’s retirement.

An innovative fundraiser aimed at tackling childhood poverty in one of the world’s poorest regions, is to take place in Longford town this Friday.

A group of around five members belonging to a community employment scheme charged with the upkeep of Longford town’s Mall facility are to receive an award in recognition of their efforts on Saturday afternoon.

Fodder shortages are causing difficulties for farmers across the region and Strokestown area representative, Cllr Eugene Murphy (FF) has warned that all those involved will need as much help as they can get in the weeks ahead.

It was a sad and poignant afternoon last Wednesday at council headquarters in Longford town where a special Mass was held to remember the late Cllr Paddy Belton (FG) who died suddenly last month at the age of 68.

The Board of Management at St Mary’s National School in Edgeworthstown received sanction to appoint contractors for the building project last Friday, and the Leader understands that construction will commence thereafter on a site to the rear of the current main school building.

Speculation is mounting in south Longford this week over who will take the seat on Longford County Council, which was occupied for sixteen years by Cllr Paddy Belton (FG) - whose untimely death last month sent shockwaves throughout the community.

“Decent, hardworking and honest” - these were among the many words reiterated by councillors during their tribute to the late Cllr Paddy Belton (FG) whose sudden death last month brought an air of genuine sadness to the council chamber last Wednesday, where this month’s meeting was cancelled as a mark of respect to the popular and much loved local area representative in Kenagh.

A County Longford native delivered a paper at Dublin’s National Library earlier this week on political violence and the role played by War of Independence icon Michael Collins.

Over 10,200 homeowners in Longford have registered their property for the Household Charge, which can be paid up until June 30.

“Families across the midlands are facing an extremely difficult autumn as education costs soar and the Back to School Allowance is cut,” Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy stated. The local deputy’s comments come in the aftermath of a €50 cut in the Back to School Allowance and a 5% increase in education costs over the past year. “The Government slashed the Back to School Allowance in the Budget, and those cuts will kick in this summer,” Deputy Troy added. “The allowance is being cut by €50 per child for the new school year. It means the payment for children over the age of 12 will reduce from €250 to €200 this summer, while the payment for children between four and 11 will go down from €150 to €100.”

A look at some of the main stories in this week’s edition of the Longford Leader.

Longford actor Jamie McClean is set to play one of the lead roles in the Backstage Theatre’s Canal Studio production of ‘Stalemate’ – a new play written and directed by the theatre’s artist-in-residence, Seamus O’Rourke. The production, is currently being rehearsed ahead of its debut at Backstage this Thursday, May 16, after which the crew will embark on a nationwide tour.