Lounes Ouachek has attempted murder jail term cut by one year

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The Court of Appeal replaced Lounes Ouachek’s sentence on 20 October 2015 with 15 years’ imprisonment, the final four years suspended, reducing his jail term by one year. The proceedings were reported on 20 October 2015.

Lounes Ouachek had pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the attempted murder of his wife, Ruta Ouachek. The offence occurred at St Dominic’s Terrace, Tallaght, Dublin 24, on 23 August 2012.

Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed the original sentence on 21 July 2014: 15 years’ imprisonment with the final three suspended.

Mr Justice John Edwards recounted Ruta Ouachek’s account: she handed Lounes Ouachek a kettlebell while he was outside the house. Her next memory was of him straddling her on the kitchen floor and hitting her with it. The report recorded fractures to her skull and facial bones.

Mr Justice John Edwards, sitting with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, said the handling of potential mitigation amounted to an error in principle. The sentencing judge had recognised the guilty plea, previous good character and foreign nationality, but declined to keep material submitted on Lounes Ouachek’s behalf.

The submissions included favourable testimonials from the Governor of Cloverhill prison, letters from Lidl and a fish and chip shop praising his diligence, and friends’ accounts of his efforts to support his family. A medical report described a back injury in 2008, unemployment and antidepressants prescribed for low mood.

Lounes Ouachek agreed to the conditions imposed. These required a €1,000 bond covering peaceful conduct and good behaviour during custody and for four years after release. He also had to follow all probation service directions and was permanently barred from contacting the victim.