The news editor of the Sunday Independent said yesterday he did not think the difficulties experienced by the paper's former crime correspondent, Ms Liz Allen, "merited resignation".
Ms Allen resigned in September 2000 and is claiming constructive dismissal against the Independent Newspapers group, citing bullying and harassment as the reasons she had to leave the job which paid £47,000.
"I think it's a pity she resigned. I did not think the problems were such that they merited resignation. Problems she had in the past were ironed out," Mr Willie Kealy told an employment appeals tribunal.
He said there were a small number of incidents, but they had been presented "in a very inaccurate and prejudicial way" by her in her evidence. He had not criticised her because other journalists had not followed up her stories; she "simply got the wrong end of the stick", he said.
Earlier a consultant psychiatrist, Prof Patricia Casey, told the tribunal it was her opinion that Ms Allen was not suffering from depression, as had been suggested by a previous witness.
The evidence of Prof Casey, who was asked to examine Ms Allen on behalf of the newspaper group, conflicts with testimony given by another consultant psychiatrist, Dr Justin Brophy, who testified on behalf of Ms Allen. He diagnosed her as suffering from depression and recently prescribed anti-depressants, the tribunal heard.
Prof Casey saw Ms Allen on January 3rd and 24th last. She also spoke to her husband. Ms Allen told her of her difficulties at work and complained of aches and pains and said that, after she resigned, she had palpitations which necessitated her going to hospital.
She believed Ms Allen was suffering from a stress reaction or an adjustment disorder which was self-limiting. She thought it would end if she won her case. If not she would go on being angry and distressed.
The case continues today.