Former Bohemians coach David Henderson has been awarded €26,000 after a tribunal found his redundancy to be 'ruthless and dishonest'. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) made the maximum-compensation award to Henderson over his dismissal from the League of Ireland premier division club.

What happened?

The tribunal found that Bohemians had subjected Henderson to a fabricated allegation of misconduct when the club 'got rid' of him in a 'ruthless and dishonest' redundancy last winter.

Why it matters for Bohemians

An adjudicator from the WRC found there was 'no evidence' to back up claims by the Bohs management that the club's finances were in trouble to the extent it had to get rid of the ex-player and coach, who was drawing wages of just €250 a week.

Current context

As of the current season, Bohemians are standing 4th in the Premier Division with 54 points from 36 games, having scored 48 goals and conceded 39. Their recent form has been WLDLL, with a 2-game winning run. | Category | Value | | --- | --- | | League standing | 4th | | Points | 54 | | Goals scored | 48 | | Goals conceded | 39 | | Recent form | WLDLL |

The club's president had said a budget review process last October and November concluded that 'cutbacks' were needed at the club in 2025 and had 'looked at the complainant's position'. However, the adjudication officer Christina Ryan said that when she questioned the club president he could not confirm the date of the board meeting.

Henderson told the commission he had been involved with the club at various stages as player, scout and coach – and since 2023 had been head of recruitment, goalkeeping coach for the men's first team, coach for the women's team and chief scout for the Bohemian FC academy.

The director of football first referenced 'a budgeting issue' when he phoned to remove him from his post. When Henderson replied that this 'did not make sense', given all he did for the club for €250 a week, the director of football then mentioned 'anonymous verbal complaints and a historic letter of complaint', he said.

Under questioning from the adjudicator, the club president admitted 'no letter of complaint ever existed'. Henderson said he had such concerns for his reputation and professional standing, given he worked with underage and female players, that he wrote to the Football Association of Ireland's safeguarding department asking it to pursue the matter – with the FAI's child protection officer confirming there was no letter.

In her decision on the case, Ms Ryan wrote: 'These allegations were a gross fabrication designed to, for whatever reason, get rid of the complainant.',

The last result for Bohemians was a 4-1 win against Drogheda United on November 1, 2025. Their title race is currently 12 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers. With their recent form being 2W-1D-2L, Bohemians are on a 2-game winning run.