DRC calls on O'Leary to apologise over 'rapist' comments

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has urged Ryanair CEO Michael O Leary to apologize for his comments comparing airlines to rapists. Ms Morrogh, the centre's chief executive, emphasized the need for O Leary to acknowledge the inappropriateness of his remarks and to accept training from the Rape Crisis Centre to better understand the impact of his words.

The National Rape Crisis Helpline has reported a surge in calls following O Leary's comments, which Ms Morgh deemed as "lazy" and "uninformed." She further stated that O Leary's comparison of other airlines to rapists trivializes and tolerates sexual violence in society. The National Women's Council of Ireland and Éist, a support and advocacy organization, also condemned the remarks, noting that they undermine the experiences of survivors of sexual violence and contribute to the normalization of sexual violence.

Several politicians, including People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger and Labour senator Laura Harmon, have called for O Leary to apologize and retract his comments, citing the offense caused to survivors of rape and sexual assault.