Terrifying violent disorder incident in Laois coffee shop 

Between 20 and 30 customers were in a Portlaoise Coffee Shop when a man was attacked by a number of males, a court sitting has heard. 

Ryan Colgan (18) of 14 Bianconi Way, Ridge Road, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Costa Coffee in the Laois Shopping Centre on January 22 this year. 

Garda Billy O’Connor said the incident occurred when the defendant and four other males followed a man into Costa Coffee at around 2pm on the date in question. Garda O’Connor said the youths began shouting in the man’s direction before they began assaulting him. 

He said the incident was caught on CCTV and there were between 20 and 30 customers in the shop. 

“CCTV does show actual customers getting up to leave the store to avoid getting caught up in this violent disorder,” said Garda O’Connor. 

Anne Doyle BL said her client wouldn’t have been the ring leader. 

“No, but he did get involved,” replied Garda O’Connor. 

Ms Doyle said her client had instructed her not to issue a plea of mitigation in his case. 

“He holds his hands up. He is extremely sorry for what has happened,” she said. 

Ms Doyle said he had been using cannabis at the time but does not use it anymore. 

“He is the victim of tragic circumstances. Unfortunately he won’t allow me to elaborate further,” said Ms Doyle. She did note Judge Andrew Cody had acknowledged that the man had been “dealt a difficult hand” in life.

Judge Susan Fay said she would recommend a probation report and restorative justice in the case. 

Ms Doyle said her client wasn’t willing to engage in restorative justice, a process where the perpetrator meets the victim and gains an insight into the impact of their offending. 

Judge Fay said she was still going to order it due to the “impact that this has had on the staff of Costa Coffee”. 

“When something like this happens it really terrifies people,” said Judge Fay. She said she wanted the man to get an understanding of the impact the incident had. 

“If somebody goes in for a cup of coffee they should be allowed to enjoy it in peace,” said Judge Fay. 

She told Ms Doyle to urge her client to engage in restorative justice and she adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on May 12, 2026.