Nabil Habbar, a 41-year-old Algerian national, has been deported from Ireland after serving a prison sentence for the sexual assault of a teenage girl. According to court records from Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, Habbar was served with an exclusion order on April 24 and is barred from re-entering the state until September 2029.
Why was Nabil Habbar deported?
The deportation follows Habbar’s inability to comply with Probation Service supervision for 12 months following his release from prison. Cathal Ó Braonáin informed the court that Habbar was “removed from the State” via an exclusion order.
Habbar had previously pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenager in Athlone nearly five years ago. In November 2023, Judge Keenan Johnson sentenced him to three years and six months, with the final nine months suspended for four years under specific conditions.
What happened during the assault?
The court heard the attack occurred in August 2021 while the victim was celebrating her Leaving Certificate results. According to testimony, Habbar approached the girl as she walked home, complimented her, and steered her in a specific direction.
After the victim briefly escaped to a friend, Habbar returned when she was alone. The court heard he “forcibly kissed her” while holding her face and neck despite her pleas to stop. He then moved her underwear aside and forced his finger into her vagina after she said “No.”
The assault ended when another man intervened and Habbar backed away. A sexual assault treatment unit later confirmed injuries consistent with the victim’s description.
How did the defendant respond to the charges?
Gardaí interviewed Habbar three times following his arrest. During the first interview, he claimed the girl was drunk and nothing had happened. In the second, he alleged she “liked it” or was seeking drugs. By the final interview, Habbar stated he was sorry.
Judge Johnson rejected the notion that the victim instigated the interaction. He described the act as a “very serious assault on a young, vulnerable woman” and noted that Habbar waited until the victim was away from her friends to commit the most serious part of the crime.
What happens next in the legal process?
While Habbar has been removed from the state, a legal application regarding his probation remains. The prosecution sought a variation to the probation order, but Judge Cephas Power adjourned the ruling on this application until later this month.
Habbar previously offered €1,000 to the victim in court. Because the victim refused the money, the court ordered the funds be paid to a domestic violence charity.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can Nabil Habbar return to Ireland?
According to Cathal Ó Braonáin, the exclusion order prevents Habbar from re-entering the state until September 2029.
What was the original sentence for the assault?
Judge Keenan Johnson handed down a sentence of three years and six months in November 2023, with nine months suspended for four years.
What was the impact on the victim?
In a victim impact statement, the young woman said the event left her distraught, made it difficult to carry out tasks, and “sullied” her Leaving Certificate results.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
How do you feel about the use of exclusion orders in cases involving probation violations?
