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Ryanair's Michael O'Leary Refuses to Apologise for Rapist Comments

On Thursday, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary compared rival airlines to "high-fare rapists" during a media briefing in Dublin ahead of the airline's annual general meeting, claiming high competitor fares would drive passengers to Ryanair's low-cost flights.
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre CEO Rachel Morrogh responded by urging O'Leary to issue a "swift apology to survivors of rape and sexual violence," stating the centre received calls from distressed victims and offering free training on sexual violence.
In an open letter published Friday, O'Leary rejected the apology demand, insisting he "certainly did not trivialize the crime of rape" and accusing Morrogh of making "false and defamatory" claims about his remarks.
Tánaiaste Simon Harris called the remarks "clearly an inappropriate use of language," while Enterprise Minister Peter Burke stated "We should never trivialise sexual violence in this country," both urging O'Leary to reflect on his words.
The remarks drew widespread condemnation from victims' groups and politicians across Ireland and the UK, with rape survivor Fiona Doyle calling on O'Leary to "have the guts" to apologize face-to-face for the harmful language.

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12 Articles

Irish Times

Lean Left

Michael O’Leary says he won’t apologise for rapists comment

Ryanair chief executive has been criticised by the head of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre for ‘trivialising’ rape

12 hours ago·Dublin, Ireland

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Irish Independent

Lean Right

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary’s biggest controversies and the one time he apologised

Billionaire’s ‘rapist’ comment has caused widespread outrage

12 hours ago·Dublin, Ireland

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La Libre

Center

Ryanair's CEO Refuses to Apologise After Comparing the Other Companies with "Strong-Priced Rapists"

The CEO of the low-cost airline group Ryanair, Michael O'Leary, refuses to apologize after being accused of trivializing the rape. ...

22 hours ago·Brussels, Belgium

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JOE.ie

Lean Left

Michael O'Leary doubles down and accuses Rape Crisis Centre of defamation.

1 day ago

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Irish Examiner

Lean Left

Michael O’Leary refuses to apologise after Ryanair ‘rapists’ comments criticised

Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary has rejected criticism from victims’ groups and politicians in Ireland over his remarks

1 day ago·Cork, Ireland

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Extra.ie

Center

Ryanair's Michael O'Leary refuses to apologise for rapist comments

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has rejected calls for him to apologise after comparing rival airlines to rapists, insisting he did nothing to diminish the seriousness of rape. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) has urged the airline chief to say sorry over comments made to reporters at Ryanair’s annual general meeting in Dublin yesterday. Speaking before the AGM, Mr O’Leary was asked about his use of the term and said he believed it was ‘absolut…

1 day ago

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