‘No basis to sexual harassment claim’

FORMER Bohemians manager Sean Connor told the High Court yesterday there was no basis to a sexual harassment allegation that was among the reasons he lost his job at the football club.

Mr Connor, who is seeking High Court damages for unfair dismissal, said the allegation that he had made “advances of a sexual nature” to a woman who was engaged in voluntary work at the club was without foundation and had made his personal life very difficult. It had also made it difficult to get another job since his dismissal in December of last year, he said.

He was giving evidence at the opening day of his action for damages against the club in which he claims he was wrongfully dismissed and not afforded proper procedures. He is also seeking a declaration that the decision to terminate his €100,000-a-season contract was null and void.

Mr Connor, 41, who lives in Killybegs, Co Donegal, with his partner and child, moved from Sligo Rovers to Bohemians on December 1, 2006, on a contract due to last to the end of the 2009 season but by December of last year, the directors of the club dismissed him following a number of allegations, including the sexual harassment of the relation of one of the board members.

He failed in an earlier High Court bid this year to get an injunction to be reinstated after a judge ruled that an action for damages would be an adequate remedy for him. Pat Fenlon was appointed manager after Mr Connor was dismissed.

On the first day of the action for damages yesterday, the court heard the alleged sexual harassment occurred after he had invited the young woman out for dinner, shortly before his dismissal, and later took her to an apartment he had been renting in Malahide Marina Village. It was alleged that he invited her out “under false pretences” and made “advances of a sexual nature” while in the flat.

Mr Connor, under cross- examination by Alistair Rutherdale BL for the club, denied there was any advances made and said he had invited the young woman out to thank her for the assistance she had provided him with during the year. He said he made it clear to the woman the dinner would only be himself and herself and “she had an opportunity to cancel but didn’t”.

Mr Connor also said no formal complaint had been made by the woman and since the incident he had spoken to the woman’s mother and to her brother.

The woman’s mother briefly interrupted proceedings yesterday to say her daughter had been “dragged in [to the proceedings] by one of the parties involved”. The court heard the woman, who is only being referred to by her initials, was not present for the hearing but would be available to give evidence if required.

Mr Connor also told the court yesterday that he had been declared bankrupt as a result of investing in a business deal in England but he had since discharged that bankruptcy.

In its defence of Mr Connor’s claims, Bohemian FC says his position was terminated for serious and ongoing breaches of his contract.

The club says that among the other reasons for his termination was the offering of contracts to players without board approval, the unapproved renting of accommodation for players, the payment of unauthorised meal expenses and inviting players from other clubs to train with Bohemians.

He also allegedly drove a club sponsor-supplied car without insurance despite having been warned not to do so and ended up in an accident in which a motorcyclist was paid €3,000 to settle any claim.

The case continues before Mr Justice Brian McGovern.