Trio accused of violent disorder in Portlaoise town centre
The three accused appeared before Portlaoise District Court
Three people appeared in court accused of violent disorder in Portlaoise town centre.
Padraig Donagher (21) of 64 St Brigid’s Square, Portarlington, Ali Heffernan (20) of 1 Bridge Street, Portlaoise and Chelsea Keogh (19) of 159 St Brigids Place, Portlaoise are each accused of engaging in violent disorder at Lyster Square, Portlaoise on November 8, 2025.
When the first accused was called at Portlaoise District Court, Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said “there are a number of co-accused in this”. He said Gardaí have CCTV of the incident.
Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said “ordinarily I would represent but I am not in a position to represent them today”. Along with the other solicitors at Portlaoise District Court, Ms Fitzpatrick has withdrawn her services due to the ongoing dispute over legal fees.
Sgt Kirby said the DPP had directed that the case can only proceed in the district court if guilty pleas are entered. He said otherwise a book of evidence will be required.
When the third named defendant was called, Judge Andrew Cody told her, “the DPP said this court can only deal with matters on a guilty plea. Have you spoken to your solicitor on that?” The woman said she had not.
Ms Fitzpatrick said "I am not in a position to advance it”.
Judge Cody said he would give the three accused a week to get legal advice and if there was no change a book of evidence would be required for each of the accused.
Ms Fitzpatrick said there was a withdrawal of services. “We can’t offer them advice in relation to the matter,” she said.
Judge Cody said if there were no pleas of guilty the matter had to go forward to the higher circuit court.
He adjourned the cases to Portlaoise District Court on July 20 for a plea or a book of evidence.