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Spanish police rescue Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary from angry mob

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary had to call for police protection

By
PATRICK COUNIHAN,
IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 7:48 AM
Updated Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 11:33 AM

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Michael O'Leary...Chief Executive Officer of Ryanair
Michael O'Leary...Chief Executive Officer of Ryanair
Photo by AP Photo/Virginia Mayo


Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary had to call for police protection after he provoked sacked Spanish airline workers.

O’Leary was escorted to his departure gate by armed guards after inciting a violent reaction from the unemployed Spanair workers. They protested after O’Leary arrived at Bilbao Airport to announce new routes to Barcelona and Madrid.

The additional Ryanair service is aimed at Spanair passengers after the Spanish airline went bust last week.

The redundant Spanair workers reacted angrily when O’Leary made a v-for-victory sign in their direction as they protested outside his press conference. Around 30 former Spanair workers tried to sabotage the press conference at the airport.

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Local police were forced to step in after tempers flared as O’Leary made the victory sign in front of TV cameras in an apparent act of provocation according to reports.

Several workers surrounded O’Leary, swore at him, and gave him the middle finger as officers intervened.

They then held a sit-down protest after O’Leary departed for Madrid. Local union leader Jon Herrera accused the Ryanair boss of a lack of respect.

“He has stood in front of a group of workers who have lost their jobs overnight and raised his hand in a symbol of victory,” said Herrera. “He disgraced himself.”

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10 Comments

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IrelandNorth | Feb 10, 2012, 05:43 AM EST
Michael O Leary/Micheal O Laoghaire (Mee-haul Oh Leer-eh!) is as diplomatic as a bull in a China shop. But remember, purposefully so. He's acutely aware of the fact that no publicity is bad publicity. Consequently, he will do anything to get into the spotlight. Think of all the free advertisement he gets for O'Leary Air by being such an oaf.

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mandrake | Feb 08, 2012, 06:48 PM EST
That was no "V for victory"gesture from this amadhan

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Caoimhin1937 | Feb 08, 2012, 04:36 PM EST
Do not worry about O'Leary. His problem is that he has been buggered too many times at the Jesuite school he went to. That's what makes him the way he is. It has been a fact that before you become a prime miniter of England you have to be buggered at least three times. It is much the same with O'Leary.

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hybernia | Feb 08, 2012, 01:21 PM EST
If O'Leary is a 'moron' and an 'idiot' I wish we had a few like him in government, the country would be in a better position than it is at the moment.

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bimjimmy | Feb 08, 2012, 11:43 AM EST
Pity they did not get hands on him and show the millionaire publicity-seeking idiot "a good time". It's time somebody shut that moron's mouth for at least a few days.

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cillowen | Feb 08, 2012, 10:34 AM EST
he's a loose cannon that gets away with being the nutcase that he evidently is.

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Searlit | Feb 08, 2012, 10:15 AM EST
Not Mr. Nice guy, is he?

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wyalusingjohn | Feb 08, 2012, 10:10 AM EST
Mr. O'Leary is long on business acumen and very short on interpersonal skills. You don't gloat in front of people who have just lost their jobs.

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johhnyb | Feb 08, 2012, 09:55 AM EST
It's hard to imagine Michael being provocative. Something lost in translation undoubtedly.

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IronMountainMovies | Feb 08, 2012, 09:53 AM EST
Apparently the Syrian Embassy offered Michael refuge! They must be impressed with his skills in the art of diplomacy!

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