Radio man handed back Christmas pay cheque

A former station manager with Mid-West Radio denied in the High Court yesterday that he had stopped talking to the station chief…

A former station manager with Mid-West Radio denied in the High Court yesterday that he had stopped talking to the station chief executive, Mr Paul Claffey, because he was not getting enough money.

Mr Henry McGlade (49), of Cillora Cottage, Breaffy, Castlebar, Co Mayo, also denied he offered his resignation in 1992, an offer which Mr Claffey allegedly tore up.

Mr McGlade, who resigned in March 1995, has sued County Mayo Radio Ltd, which carries on business as Mid-West Radio. He claims he was systematically intimidated, bullied and subjected to sustained humiliation by Mr Claffey and is entitled to damages. The defendants deny the claims.

Cross-examined on the fourth day of the action by Mr Henry Bourke SC, for the station, Mr McGlade agreed it had been vital that the "marriage" of North-West Radio and Mid-West Radio around November 1990 should work and that the relationship between himself and Mr Tommy Marren, the North West manager, should be harmonious.

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Mr Bourke said Mr Marren would give evidence that two months after North-West Radio came on air, he noticed a "shift in attitude" towards him by Mr McGlade, who would not be available.

Mr McGlade said he was surprised by such a claim. He had his own job to do as a radio manager. His work for North-West was strictly voluntary and he was not paid for it.

He agreed with Mr Bourke that he had written to all members of the board, the chief executive and his trade union in connection with his dispute over a shortfall in his income in December 1992. He believed he was left short about £10.

Asked if he thought it odd to hand back his cheque three days before Christmas because of an alleged £10 discrepancy, Mr McGlade said he was very distressed at the time.

The hearing continues today.