Key facts
- Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary described rival airlines as "high-fare rapists."
- The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre asked O'Leary for an apology.
- O'Leary refused to apologize, stating his remarks did not trivialize rape.
- Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris called O'Leary's language "inappropriate."
- Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander suggested rape victims would not book flights with Ryanair.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has refused to apologize to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) for his remarks describing rival airlines as "high-fare rapists." O'Leary stated that some people "can't afford to fly with the high-fare rapists around Europe" and doubled down on his language when questioned by journalists.
The DRCC's chief executive, Rachel Morrogh, wrote to O'Leary stating that victims of rape had been upset and distressed by his comments and urged him to apologize. She offered him training on the impact of sexual violence.
In response, O'Leary said he was "quite clear that no remarks of mine could possibly trivialize the heinous crime of rape" and therefore would not issue an apology or accept the training offer. He previously made controversial comments about his own staff and passengers seeking refunds.
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris described O'Leary's language as "clearly an inappropriate use of language" and suggested he "should have moved to rectify it." UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander commented that victims of rape "are not going to be rushing to book tickets with him."