Man accused of assaulting neighbor in Dublin claims dispute was over ‘loud snoring’

A man refused bail after being accused of assaulting his neighbor in Dublin has claimed the row started because he “snored really loudly”.

Ismail Tamar, 41, with an address on South Circular Road, was charged on Wednesday with assault causing harm to Mouro Di Dio.

Tamar, who moved to Ireland from Afghanistan, appeared before Judge Monika Leech at Dublin District Court.

Garda James Butler alleged that Mr Di Dio suffered ligament damage in one of his hands when he tried to protect himself. He claimed Mr Tamar tried to hit him with a wooden stick and Mr Di Dio also raised his leg to protect himself but the accused grabbed one of his shoes.

The court heard that they lived in neighboring flats but there had been a deterioration in their relationship and several incidents in which the complainant and his wife suffered abuse at the hands of Mr Tamara.

The complainant attended the hearing with his arm in a sling.

In opposing bail, gardaí said there had been an escalation and they feared Mr Tamar would behave in a violent and aggressive manner towards Mr Di Dio and his wife.

Defense barrister Tony Collier said his client lived in the adjoining flat and claimed the complainant had been harassing him and had been banging on Mr Tamar’s wall.

The garda said that when she took a statement from the complainant, “the issue of snoring was never discussed”.

Di Dio told the bail hearing that the accused had been banging on her door and walls every night and had recorded incidents.

He accused Mr. Tamar of starting the fight.

He stated that on Wednesday morning the accused had been waiting for him and his wife in the hall and that he tried to protect himself.

He said he needed to take a week off and get his hand checked again.

Di Dio rejected the defense’s suggestion that “it’s because he snores very loudly and you would have complained to him about his snoring”. He also denied hitting Mr Tamar’s walls and said he wanted to live in peace.

Collier said it was a neighbor dispute. He asked for bail, saying his client was presumed innocent but would abide by conditions and not contact the complainant or his wife.

However, Judge Leech remanded him in custody pending directions from the DPP as to whether the case should remain in the District Court or go to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

Legal assistance was granted to Mr. Tamar, who will appear in court again next week.