Supreme Court to hear Mountassir appeal on sentencing for intimate-partner violence
Soufiane Mountassir, a 40-year-old man living in Dublin 1, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to false imprisonment and assault causing harm after beating and kicking his then-partner for over an hour in Dublin in November 2022. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to three years, but the Court of Appeal increased the term to 5½ years in October 2024, finding the original sentence too lenient. The Supreme Court is now to hear his appeal, raising issues of general public importance about the proper approach to sentencing for violent offences in intimate-partner relationships and the application of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. Mountassir is also wanted in Germany for arson.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court21 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Mountassir, 40,, living at Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1, beat and kicked his then-partner for one hour and 40 minutes, including punching her and ramming her head against the steering wheel, after forcing her into the car boot for 10 minutes.
- He had been drinking, taking Dalmane and cocaine, and smoking cannabis throughout the day of the attack.
- When
- The incident occurred in the early hours of 13 November 2022.
- Where
- The offences took place in Dublin 8 (false imprisonment) and on Blackhall Street, Dublin 7 (assault causing harm).
- Charges
- He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in December 2023 to false imprisonment and assault causing harm.
- Sentence
- Judge Orla Crowe imposed a three-year sentence for false imprisonment, taking the assault charge into consideration.
- In court
- The DPP appealed the sentence as unduly lenient, and the Court of Appeal in October 2024 overturned it and imposed 5½ years.
- The Supreme Court is to hear Mountassir's appeal, raising issues of general public importance about the proper approach to sentencing for violent offences in intimate-partner relationships and the application of the Domestic Violence Act 2018.
- Other details
- Mountassir is wanted in Germany for arson.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMountassir is 40 years old and lives at Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMountassir had been drinking, taking Dalmane and cocaine, and smoking cannabis throughout the day of the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim was beaten and kicked for one hour and 40 minutes, including being punched and having her head rammed against the steering wheel. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim was forced into the car boot for 10 minutes before being manhandled into the passenger seat. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred in the early hours of 13 November 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in December 2023 to false imprisonment in Dublin 8 and assault causing harm on Blackhall Street, Dublin 7. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Supreme Court is to consider the proper approach to sentencing for violent offences in intimate-partner relationships. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal decided in October 2024 that his original three-year sentence was too lenient. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP appealed the sentence as unduly lenient. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe appeal raises the proper application of the Domestic Violence Act 2018, an issue not previously considered by the Supreme Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMountassir is serving a 5½-year sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Orla Crowe imposed a three-year sentence for false imprisonment, taking the assault charge into consideration. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe Court of Appeal overturned the sentence and imposed 5½ years. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMountassir is wanted in Germany for arson. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 21 Apr2025Supreme Court to consider approach to sentencing for violent offences against intimate partners
Reports that the Supreme Court will hear Mountassir's appeal against his 5½-year sentence, raising issues of general public importance about sentencing for violent offences in intimate-partner relationships and the application of the Domestic Violence Act 2018.
suspect, Soufiane Mountassir, 40, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Soufiane Mountassirvictim, female