Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for Dublin man who assaulted his neighbour
Summary
Mark Freer, 37, of Ballyfermot, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment for assault causing harm after he struck neighbour Louise Smith on the head with a beer bottle. Smith alleged the attack occurred while she was walking home, claiming Freer had insulted and threatened her family. Freer pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 28 July 2013. He had ten prior convictions, including a two‑year jail term in 2007 for violent disorder. Judge Martin Nolan noted that Smith had reportedly insulted Freer's family and that Freer believed she was about to enter his house. Smith suffered severe cuts to her lip, nose and cheek, requiring stitches and a lump on her forehead. The judge suspended the last 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions, citing the seriousness of the assault and Freer's perceived provocation and fears.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for Dublin man who assaulted his neighbour. Charges or matters: assault causing harm on July 28, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 28, 2013 Incident
- 2015-04-16 Publication
Why: A man who hit his neighbour over the head with a beer bottle because he claimed she had insulted and threatened his family has been sentenced to three and half years in prison. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: assault causing harm on July 28, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan said he had been shown photographs of the woman's injuries taken some days after the attack, which he described as "graphic images". "At least in his mind there was some sort of provocation," the judge said before he sentenced Freer to three and half years in prison. He suspended the last 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Blackditch Road
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Tallaght
- Tallaght Hospital
Topics
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