A DUBLIN man "objected strongly" when a debt collector called to his home on a Sunday evening, the Circuit Civil Court has been told.
Mr Tim Healy, a fishmonger, of Wheat field Grove, Portmarnock, told acting Circuit Court President, Judge Gerard Buchanan he had guests in his house and did not want them to hear anything.
"I didn't say anything. I squared up to him and hissed and spat in his face as I eye balled him back down the drive. But I did not lay a finger on him," Mr Healy said.
The debt collector, Mr Joseph Higgins, of Total Credit Management, Upper Dorset Street, Dublin, was awarded £1,000 damages with District Court costs. Mr Higgins said he was also grabbed, pushed and kicked. He denied harassing the Healys.
Mr Healy told the court he had been overcharged by his accountants, Denis J. Byrne and Co. He disputed their £1,750 bill and paid them £500. The balance was reduced to £800 and, although he agreed to pay this in instalments, financial difficulties meant he was unable to do so at the time.
He admitted hissing and spitting in Mr Higgins's face but denied kicking him. Judge Buchanan said Mr Healy had a right to object to Mr Higgins calling to his home to collect a debt on a Sunday evening but he did not have the right to assault him.