Assaulted television licence inspector ‘like rat in a trap’

A TV licence inspector has described an incident where he was assaulted on duty as the most frightening situation of his 13-year career.

At Tullamore District Court, Judge Alan Mitchell fined father-of-four Joseph Afolabi, aged 42, of Eiscir Riada, Tullamore, €300 for the assault on An Post employee Michael Teehan on Feb 28, 2012.

Mr Teehan said he met Afolabi’s partner Margaret Murphy when he visited their home and that she recognised him as the TV licence inspector.

Their conversation went well until Afolabi appeared and became aggressive, telling Mr Teehan he had been in Ireland for 13 years, knew the law and would see the inspector in court.

He shouted, roared, and shut the door in Mr Teehan’s face while he tried to explain how the licence had been revoked because the direct debit lapsed.

Afolabi followed him to his van, opened the door and shouted at him, waving the licence.

The inspector said Afolabi told him: “If you ever come to my house again, I will knock you out.”

Mr Teehan said he was terrified, because he had no way of escaping, and described himself as a rat in a trap.

Afolabi banged the door shut, striking Mr Teehan’s elbow and knocking his notebook from his hand.

Garda Andrew Dolan said Mr Teehan had been visibly shaken when he reported the incident at the garda station that same day.

Afolabi was agitated as he gave evidence, telling the court that there is a conspiracy against him, and said he had been forced to leave Tullamore because of Garda harassment.

He denied being in Tullamore on the day of the assault, saying he was studying law in Galway, where he lives during the week.

He said there must have been a case of mistaken identity because there are four African families in the estate.

A TV licence prosecution had previously been struck out because he was named instead of his partner, he said. He suggested this prosecution was another, similar mistake. His partner also denied the incident had taken place.

Judge Alan Mitchell said that despite the conflict of evidence, he had no doubt of Mr Afolabi’s guilt.

He convicted him of assault and threatening behaviour, and imposed fines totalling €450 as Afolabi has just one previous road traffic conviction.