A MAN who gardai said “terrorised the town” of Newcastle West, following numerous reports of “a man brandishing a knife threatening people” has pleaded guilty to a number of charges.

Dermot Knapp Ryan, aged 34, with an address at Sharwood Estate, Newcastle West pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage with a rolling pin and production of a knife at Pizza Point, Maiden Street, Newcastle West on August 19, 2025.

A number of other charges are to be taken into consideration on “a full facts basis” including two threats to kill, public order and criminal damage to a car.

Ryan, who has 97 previous convictions between Ireland and the UK, appeared before Judge Fiona O’Sullivan at Limerick Circuit Court on Friday.

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Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Sergeant Aidan Pennick at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

CCTV was played which showed Ryan entering Pizza Point at 9pm, pulling a knife from his shorts – which he dropped and picked up – before jumping over the counter into the kitchen area.

Ms Buckley said Ryan told staff “I’ll kill you” and used bad language.

“One staff member was afraid for his life and thought he was going to be killed,” said Ms Buckley. Staff members escaped via the rear of the premises.

Ryan picked up a rolling pin in the kitchen which he used to smash a window in the front door before leaving the scene, the court heard.

Ms Buckley said the defendant went to nearby North Quay and threw an object at a car being driven by a woman.

“He came to the driver’s window and tried to open the door. He punched the car window. He shouted ‘get out’. It was a terrifying ordeal for her. She accelerated away. There was blood on her window and a scratch on her car,” said Ms Buckley.

The prosecuting barrister said Ryan had clearly taken something and the Armed Support Unit were deployed to assist local gardai.

“He was observed in Sharwoord Estate two hours later. Gardai asked him to show his hands. Gardai were concerned he was trying to retrieve something from his shorts. Ryan was shouting incoherently and did not comply with the directions.

“It was a volatile situation. Gardai deployed pepper spray. Ryan continued to resist arrest and had to be restrained – he resisted violently. A baton had to be used, using the least amount of force necessary,” said Ms Buckley.

Ryan appeared before a special court sitting on the following day where gardai said Ryan had “terrorised the town” of Newcastle West over a two-hour period. He was refused bail on August 20 last and later refused bail in the High Court. Ryan has been remanded in custody since then.

Ryan was represented by barrister Amy Nix, instructed by Michael O’Donnell, solicitor.

Ms Nix said her client had been away in the UK and visited the graves of his father and brother for the first time earlier on the day of the offences. The barrister said Ryan brought two bottles of spirits to the graveyard and consumed very strong alcohol.

“He was out of his mind,” she said.

Ms Nix said Ryan comes from an underprivileged area and has lived a chaotic life plagued by alcohol, drug and mental health issues. The barrister handed into the court two “chips” from Narcotics Anonymous which show that he has been clean for certain lengths of time.

“He did not have the easiest start to life. He left school at 12 and was diagnosed with ADHD,” said Ms Nix.

The barrister read out a letter penned by Ryan which said he was very sorry to all of his victims and wished it never happened. He said he was in a very bad place in his life and was taking drink and drugs “to block out the pain”.

Ryan said he wants to get a job, support his family and give something back to society.

Ms Nix said her client has pleaded guilty, showed remorse and handed in a positive report from the prison governor.

Judge Fiona O’Sullivan said that she “considered the evidence and the CCTV and the fact that the Armed Support Unit had to be engaged” adding that Mr Ryan had close to 100 previous convictions. 

“The offending behaviour was extremely serious,” she said. 

In mitigation, Judge O’Sullivan said that a guilty plea was flagged in advance and this saved time, while it also saved the expense of a criminal trial. 

She noted the positive probation report and that he is now attending both NA and AA meetings, is accessing help and is drug free. 

The judge also acknowledged that the defendant grew up in an underprivileged area, has a teenage son and also that the defendant suffers from ADHD, addiction issues and mental health difficulties. She also commended him for completing a victim awareness programme. 

“That addiction is at the root of the offending,” said Judge O’Sullivan. 

The judge imposed a sentence totalling four-and-a-half years imprisonment with the last 18 months suspended.

On his own bond of €100, Ryan must keep the peace and be of good behaviour for four years and six months and be under the supervision of the probation and welfare services for 18 months post-release. 

The 34-year-old was given credit for time already served, backdated to August 20, 2025.