Comedian and star of The Savage Eye, David McSavage, has been convicted and fined for failing to pay outstanding arrears on his TV licence.
McSavage, whose real name is David Andrews, had previously stated he wouldn't pay the licence fee and would "have no problem doing a night or two in Mountjoy" in protest at what he called the lack of quality comedy on RTÉ television.
He wasn't in court for today's hearing when the judge handed him a fine of €125.
At the previous hearing in April, McSavage told the court that he had been against paying his TV licence because of his grievance with the way RTÉ spent taxpayers' money. It then transpired that a licence had been acquired for the property in which the comedian lived on March 31, but he had outstanding arrears of €115.
At the Dublin District Court today, Judge O'Neill noted that McSavage had not turned up for the proceedings. "Very well, no appearance, convict and fine €125," he ordered. He also ruled that the comedian would have to pay the fine within three months along with an additional €50 in legal costs.
In recent media interviews the comedy writer and performer had claimed he would not pay the €160 TV licence and was prepared to take a stance and go to jail in protest at the quality of programmes on the national broadcaster.
Back in April he told that court that "The reason I didn't pay it is I have genuine concerns as to the use RTÉ makes of taxpayers' money. I have expressed these concerns in other forums and I've been advised to pay the fine."
He also issued a hand-written statement afterwards in which he repeated his criticism of the national broadcaster.
"I have refused to pay the TV licence fee because of my genuine concerns regarding RTE's use of taxpayers (sic) money. If a plumber provided as poor a service as RTE, they would go out of business, it makes no sense to pay people money who are bad at their jobs, it does neither of you any good. RTE needs to stop embarrassing us with their awful output, it needs to reform, modernise and work hard before it can justify the high cost of the TV licence:"
Ironically enough, on the same day, The Savage Eye was named Best Comedy at the Celtic Media Festival and McSavage was highly praised by RTÉ for his work
"We love David and we love his work," RTÉ said in a statement, describing the Dubliner as a maverick and comedy genius.
McSavage made four series of his comedy sketch show The Savage Eye for RTÉ. The show was noted for its outlandish characters and biting satire on Irish life. Broadcaster Joe Duffy was strongly critical over a long-running sketch where he was lampooned and portrayed as a masochist complete with bondage gear.
McSavage in The Savage Eye
