BOHEMIAN FOOTBALL Club's former manager Seán Connor has told the High Court that there is no basis for a sexual harassment allegation which was among the reasons he lost his job with the football club.
Mr Connor, who is claiming unfair dismissal, said the allegation that he had made "advances of a sexual nature" to a woman who voluntarily worked at the club was without foundation, had made his personal life very difficult and also made it difficult to get another job since his dismissal in December 2007.
He was giving evidence at the opening day of his action against the club alleging 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, Donegal, with his partner and child, moved from a €600 a week managership job at Sligo Rovers to Bohemians on December 1st, 2006 under a contract due to last to the end of the 2009 League of Ireland football season.
He said he had brought the club out of its relegation zone position but by December last year, the directors of the club dismissed him following a number of allegations, including that of sexual harassment.
He failed in an earlier High Court attempt this year to get an injunction to be reinstated pending the outcome of his case.
Pat Fenlon was appointed manager after he was dismissed.
The court heard yesterday that the alleged sexual harassment occurred after Mr Connor invited a young woman out for dinner and later took her to an apartment he had been renting in Malahide Marina Village.
It was alleged 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 for the club, denied any advances were made and said he had invited the young woman out to thank her for the assistance she had provided him with during the year, especially during the League Cup final in 2007. He said he made it clear to the woman the dinner would only involve himself and herself and said she had "an opportunity to cancel" but did not.
In its defence of Mr Connor's claims, Bohemians FC says his position was terminated for serious and ongoing breaches of his contract.
The case continues before Mr Justice Brian McGovern.