Joe Antoun’s widow Teagan Mullens reveals new life after mafia hit

The widow of murdered gangland identity Joe Antoun has revealed details of her new life “a million miles away” from Sydney’s lavish underworld.

Exhausted working 12-hour shifts as a traffic controller, the widow of executed Sydney standover man Joe Antoun gamely steers motorists away from cordoned streets.

Teagan Mullens readily acknowledges that toiling in cumbersome overalls as a lollipop lady for $30-an-hour is a life unrecognisable from the glamorous one she once inhabited with her husband, but she says it affords her happiness and peace.

“Look, I’m just a mum now, my life is not fast cars and luxury homes anymore, but I’ve got bills to pay to keep a roof over mine and my daughters’ heads and my work has given us peace as a family now,” she said.

Teagan Mullens says the new job may not be glamorous but she can pay her $360-a-week rent on time. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I‘m working for a pittance but I love it; I want to be a good role model for my kids - I’m not a gangster’s moll who ended up with all Joe’s money. We got nothing when he died.

“I’m happy to be away from that fake life - I don’t have people trying to squeeze us for money or trying to manipulate us anymore.

“I come from a working class family, I’ve learned being rich doesn’t make you happy. It’s just money.”

Antoun was shot five times by a hooded hit man on the doorstep of his five-bedroom Strathfield home in front of his wife and while their daughters, six at the time, were inside.

As Teagan shouted “Joe” to warn him, he opened the door as the gunman fired through the flyscreen at his chest at around 9.35pm on December 16, 2013.

Joe Antoun, 50, with his wife Teagen who says she and their twin daughters are still traumatised by his death eight years ago.

CCTV footage revealed the moment Antoun was shot dead in a gang hit at his Strathfield home.

Brothers 4 Life Blacktown boss Farhad Qaumi was convicted in a judge-alone trial of organising the killing having accepted a contract to murder Antoun.

He was sentenced by the Supreme Court to 60 years’ jail in 2016 for a string of violent crimes including Antoun’s murder.

Despite his intimidating physical appearance - Antoun was missing half his right ear after it was bitten off by an inmate during a prison yard brawl - Ms Mullens says he hid the dark side of his life from her and the children.

“I don’t want people feeling sorry for me, I work in the elements come rain, hell or shine,” she said.

“I get my petrol money paid and lunch and I pay my $360 a week rent on time.”

Mullens doesn’t want pity from the public. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I didn't see Joe as a gangster, he was a good man, a loving father,” she added.

“I loved Joe, I still do, I’ll have PTSD forever from what happened.

“I wish I had better prepared me and the kids financially. We miss him terribly.”

Antoun, 50, variously ­described as a construction identity, standover man and gangster, had clashed over the years with notorious figures in Sydney’s underworld and construction industry, including Jim Byrnes and Pasquale Barbaro.

Teagan held Joe in her arms as he bled to death on the doorstep of their home. Picture: Supplied

The mother of two describes her late partner as “a good man” and “loving father”. Picture: Supplied

Barbaro, shot dead in November 14 2016, hated Antoun and the pair had been locked in a drawn out dispute.

Hit man Abuzar Sultani pleaded guilty to assassinating mafia boss Barbaro, 35, Comanchero bikie associate Mehmet Yilmaz, 29, and Rebel bikie Michael “Ruthless” Davey, 30, in December.

The court heard Sultani walked after Barbaro in the street until he collapsed and fired five shots into the back of his head and neck.

The Crown alleged nine hours earlier a detective had given evidence at the trial of Brothers For Life members hinting Barbaro had been instrumental in organising or financing the murder of Antoun.

Mr Antoun was a close friend and mentor to Sultani who was alleged to have conducted what was essentially a revenge killing on Barbaro in honour of Antoun.

A witness who did not reveal his name said in court documents Sultani told him “we killed him because he stitched up my mentor and got him knocked”.

Ms Mullens, a former waitress who is the daughter of a printer father and hairdresser mother, says she considers Sultani family.

“I find it hard to see Abs as a serial murderer, Joe loved Abs and he (Abs) looked after us when Joe died, he put up me and kids in a $1,050 a month penthouse in Rhodes for a year after Joe’s death.

“That whole life feels a million miles away now.”

Originally published as Joe Antoun’s widow Teagan Mullens reveals new life after mafia hit