Ryanair boss refuses to apologise for 'high-fare rapists' comment

Ryanair's chairman, Michael O'Leary, has declined to apologize for his controversial remarks comparing competitor airlines to "rapists". The CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh, had urged O'Leary to issue a swift apology, citing that his statement trivialized the issue of rape. In his response letter, O'Leary maintained that he had used the term "heinous crime" and not a "trivialising" phrase.

He rejected the criticism as "false and defamatory", asserting that he clearly stated rape is a heinous crime and its survivors are victims of a heinous crime. O'Leary's comments have drawn condemnation from Ireland's deputy premier, Simon Harris, who believes the airline may lose the confidence of women who have been sexually assaulted.