Algerian man living in asylum seeker accommodation stamped on stranger's head
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the incident arose after one of the males with whom the injured party was walking had bumped into one of the men who was with the defendant outside the Savoy Cinema on Dublin's O'Connell Street.
Omar Haddouche, with an address at Knockalisheen Centre, Meelick, Co. Clare was before the court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to violent disorder on February 6, 2023 on O'Connell Street Upper.
Garda Cathal Smyth of Store Street testified that Haddouche was in a group with three other males at 30 minutes past midnight. The group came into contact with three other males outside the Savoy Cinema, when one of the males in the other group bumped into one of the males in the defendant's group.
Kicks were thrown towards the other group, who initially walked away. However, one of those men then returned and punched an acquaintance of Haddouche in the face. There was retaliation, with punching and kicking.
Haddouche then removed his belt, wrapped it around his fist and joined with the others in assaulting the man who had returned. He was punched and dragged along the ground, and kicked to the head.
He managed to get back to his feet, but Haddouche struck him with the belt wrapped around his fist. He fell for a second time and was again assaulted on the ground. Both the accused and one of his accomplices stamped on his head while he was on the ground.
Haddouche and his accomplices fled the scene, but the incident was captured on CCTV and the accused was identified. He said he had acted in self-defence, but agreed that his behaviour wasn't acceptable.
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The injured man was hospitalised with severe bleeding, concussion, and serious damage to his right eye, resulting in the loss of 75 per cent of its sight.
He was also charged with violent disorder, but pleaded guilty to affray and received a suspended sentence.
Haddouche's barrister pointed out that the incident had lasted 60 seconds.
She explained that her client was from Algeria, had moved to Ireland shortly before the incident and was living in Citywest at the time. He was later moved to tented accommodation in Co. Clare.
Counsel said that he is now a constructive member of society. While living in asylum seeker accommodation in Limerick for the past two years, he has been working as a general operative and cleaner.
'He's come here from Algeria to make a better life for himself,' she said, handing in a letter of apology in which he stated that he wanted to be a better person.
Judge Orla Crowe noted that there was no apparent reason why the incident had happened, but said that it was 'inherently serious' and had 'huge implications for the injured party'.
She said that the 'considerable violence' warranted a custodial sentence and imprisoned him for two and a half years.
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