A former station manager of Mid West Radio yesterday told the High Court he had been shouted and roared at by the station's chief executive, Mr Paul Claffey, when he queried what he had received in his wage packet.
The manager, Mr Henry McGlade, said he was upset and afraid but was told he would be fired if he made another complaint. The motto of the station was "Admire or be fired", he said.
Mr McGlade, of Breaffy, Castlebar, Co Mayo, is seeking damages against County Mayo Radio Ltd, of Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, trading as Mid West Radio.
He claims he was systematically intimidated, bullied and subjected to sustained humiliation by Mr Claffey and that he was very close to a nervous breakdown when he resigned in March 1995.
In evidence, Mr McGlade said he was hired as station manager in 1989. His duties included promoting the station, organising programmes, doing public-relations work, broadcasting daily and doing a Sunday chat show.
In December 1992, he queried what he received in his wage packet with station accountant Mr John O'Toole. He was then taking home £750 a month plus expenses. That day Mr Claffey called him into his office and roared and shouted at him, telling him he was very well paid.
He said Mr Claffey also complained about his punctuality and his alleged inability to work with another person at the station. Mr Claffey was roaring and banging the desk, he said.
He found the meeting with Mr Claffey very threatening. He left the room shaking and upset and drove straight to his doctor. His GP prescribed some sedatives. He had no previous row with Mr Claffey.
Mr McGlade said he made a full response to Mr Claffey's allegations. At the time, he said he was working very long hours and doing many things for which he was not paid. He helped in crises at the station. Staff came to him with problems. They found Mr Claffey difficult.
In 1993, he took up a newsroom post and was involved in the establishment of an NUJ chapel there. Mr Claffey did not like the union, he said, and made complaints about the news service.
The hearing resumes before Mr Justice Johnson on Tuesday.