A BBC broadcast, which disclosed the identity of a former leading swimmer who claims he was sexually abused, broke the swimmer's heart and he never returned to competitive swimming, the High Court was told yesterday.
The swimmer's wife said the family had experienced "a nightmare" following the naming of him in the broadcast. His children and mother had not known of the alleged abuse by the former coach George Gibney.
The swimmer himself became depressed, and it seemed much of the progress made in counselling work in the previous 10 years was lost.
The man's wife was giving evidence on the second day of the action by her husband against the BBC alleging negligence, breach of contract and breach of a confidential or common law duty of confidence and respect for the privacy of the plaintiff.
Mr Justice Barr has asked the media not to reveal the identity of the man as this would defeat the purpose of the action.
The former swimmer, who alleges he was abused by Gibney when he was between 11 and 14 years old, said in evidence he agreed to give the BBC an interview for a programme on child sexual abuse by sports coaches following assurances his identity would not be revealed. But he was named in the BBC Radio Five interview in October 1995.
Liability has been admitted by the BBC and the High Court is assessing damages only.
Yesterday the man's wife said her husband had had to cope after the broadcast with people all around him knowing he was a victim of abuse. He never returned to competitive swimming and did not want to go out and socialise with some of their friends who he knew had heard the broadcast.
She said his mother felt guilty and became upset when she heard about the broadcast as did the eldest of their children. It broke her husband's heart.
Although a loving and very caring father, her husband suffered depression.
Dr Peter Fahey, a psychiatrist who treated the swimmer from 1996, said the man was very distressed by the BBC interview. He had been assured his identity would remain anonymous and was shattered by its revelation. He was also very upset by what George Gibney had done to him.
The effect of the disclosure made him agitated and depressed.
Dr Fahey said he had prescribed medication for the high anxiety levels his patient was experiencing.
Dr Peter Colquhoun, a clinical psychologist and a witness for the defendants, said he had examined the swimmer after the programme in order to complete a professional assessment of its impact on the man. On each of the two visits, the man broke down during interview.
Asked if he had told the former swimmer that he could expect to be cross-examined in court in the same way that he was questioning him, Dr Colquhoun said he could not recall making such a remark. But neither could he say that he had not said it. He did not have a clear memory of that.
Asked if he had used such words or words like them to "soften up " the swimmer or to make him more amenable to a settlement, Dr Colquhoun said that was not the case.
He had carried out the assessment to the best of his ability and had acted in good faith.
The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.