Young men followed man into Portlaoise coffee shop and ‘punched him repeatedly’
Image for illustration purposes
THREE of five young men who attacked and assaulted another man in a coffee shop in Portlaoise had their cases adjourned when they came before the juvenile sitting of the local District Court last week.
Garda Billy O’Connor said at 2pm on 22 January five youths followed a young man into the Costa coffee shop in Laois Shopping Centre, Portlaoise and proceeded to punch him repeatedly.
He said there were between 20 and 30 middle-aged and elderly customers in the restaurant at the time.
The defendants cannot be named due to their age - or were underage at the time of the incident.
The first case dealt with a young man who turned 18 in June. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Costa, Laois Shopping Centre, Portlaoise on 22 January.
His barrister Anne Doyle said she was in a somewhat difficult situation because her client, “does not wish me to offer a plea in mitigation.” Judge Susan Fay adjourned this case until 12 May for a probation report and to allow time for the youth to take part in the restorative justice programme.
The second defendant was brought before the court from Oberstown Children’s Detention Campus where he is currently serving a sentence and due to turn 18 at the end of January. He pleaded guilty to assault and to violent disorder during the same incident.
Solicitor for this youth Philip Meagher said that his client is doing extremely well in detention and has obtained several certificates in various educational courses.
Mr Meagher said: “In my 30-years (as a solicitor) I haven’t seen a bigger improvement (in clients). It’s a success story.” Judge Fay adjourned this case until 13 January for a probation report and to take part in the restorative justice programme.
The third teenager was 16 years of age. He is charged with two counts of the unauthorised taking of vehicles on 8 June 2024 at The Glen, Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington and at Cosby Avenue, Fairgreen, Portlaoise as well as violent disorder in the shopping centre.
Defending barrister Anne Doyle said since the incident her client has spent five and a half months in custody in Oberstown.
She said: “I met him for the first time at this time last year. It’s a testament to the staff at Oberstown and he is a success story. The offence took place prior to his admission to Oberstown. While there he trained as a personal trainer. I am proud of him. His mother is proud of him. He has turned a corner. The penny has finally dropped.” Judge Fay remanded the youth on continuing bail until 12 May and ordered that he takes part in the restorative justice programme and engages with the probation services.
The judge went on to say that it was not just a terrifying ordeal for the victim of the assault but also for the staff of the restaurant and its customers, adding, “it was a very distressing incident on people who were keeping down a job, go to work to pay bills and those who had just gone out for a coffee. It caused great stress and distress.” She said it was important the restaurant staff are canvassed by gardaí with a view of obtaining victim impact statements on the effect the incident has taken on them.
She said each of the defendants also need to be aware of the impact this has had on the victim, the staff, the customers, the people of Portlaoise and on society.
