gistfile1.php

<?php

class BaseController extends Controller{
...
	/**
	 * setting up the locale
	 * @param [type] $locale - the parameter from the URL with the locale
	 */
	public function setLocale($locale = Null)
    {
    	//If the locale is in the list of available locales - switch to that locale
    	if ( in_array( $locale , Config::get( 'app.locales' ) ) )
        {
           App::setLocale( $locale );
           Session::put( 'locale', $locale );
           Cookie::forever( 'locale', $locale );
           return Redirect::back();

        //otherwise throw 404 exception
        }else{
        	App::abort(404);
        }
    }
...    
}