Bohemians Building Foundations for Prisoner Reintegration

Over the past two seasons, while playing 60 games for the Bohemian FC first team, Oscar Brennan has also been working with the Bohemian Foundation on their project ‘Reintegration through Sport’ focusing on rehabilitating prisoners through sport to assist with their reintegration into society after prison. With Oscar leaving Bohemians FC at the beginning of this year and therefore also hid work the Foundation, it’s safe to say that he has made a lasting impact on the people he met on this journey with the Foundation.The Governor of Mountjoy Prison, Donnacha Walsh, says, “Oscar has been a massive influence on all the lads here. The skills he’s taught the guys have really helped them when they’ve been reintegrating into life outside.”Given a guard of honour by the prisoners at the end of his last ever session with them, Oscar candidly explained, “It’s an honour to play for Bohs and it’s amazing for me to be able to use that profile to go in and help other people who have been forgotten by society,” said the 22-year-old player who has made the move to Shelbourne for the 2019 season.Oscar also spoke about how he got involved with the Bohemian Foundation and how much he enjoyed the experience.

“I’ve been involved with the Bohemian Foundation for about 18 months. It was Matt Devaney [former club president] who first told me about the Foundation. I had no idea about it until then.

“It was always something I said I wanted to get involved in. I got involved in the walking football with Chris [Brien] and the prison with Thomas [Hynes], and I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s been a rewarding experience.”

He then went on to describe the impact his work with the Foundation has had on him personally.

“It’s given me a chance to dig a little bit deeper and really just get involved. I never did it for myself. I just did it because I wanted to help, and I enjoyed going in and being able to help the prisoners.”

Thomas Hynes, who is the president of the Bohemian Foundation, was also effusive in his praise of both Oscar and another of Bohemian FC’s players, who also played a big role with the Foundation, Shane Supple.

“For the [Bohemain] Foundation to work, considering the momentous task of helping with the reformation of prisoners, we need the right people, in the right place and at the right time. I know it sounds like a cliché, but we have Governor Walsh and prison officers there along with the right players in Shane and Oscar.

“They are all the right people to make a positive impact. Everyone has come together to make this thing work, and now we can see the results of it all.”

See the Programme page for more information on the Bohemians Foundation ‘Reintegration through Sport’ project.