Rape survivor Fiona Doyle has publicly condemned Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary for his remarks comparing rival airlines to “rapists,” calling for a formal apology and a face-to-face meeting. O’Leary made the comments during a recent statement at Ryanair’s headquarters, where he described high-fare airlines such as Lufthansa, British Airways, and Aer Lingus as “high-fare rapists,” asserting that passengers would flock to Ryanair due to rising prices elsewhere.
O’Leary doubled down on his use of the term when questioned about the potential offense it might cause, stating he would “happily offend” the competing airlines and affirming that his language was appropriate in the context of his criticism.
Fiona Doyle, who endured sexual abuse by her father as a child and has publicly shared her experience to raise awareness about the impact of rape, expressed profound anger at O’Leary’s choice of words. She emphasized that his remarks trivialize the trauma faced by survivors and undermine the severity of sexual violence. Doyle stated she would refuse to fly with Ryanair until O’Leary issues a sincere public apology, not only to her but to all survivors across Ireland. She also invited O’Leary to meet with her in person to listen to her story and understand the real consequences of such language. “It’s all about power, and that’s what rape is,” she said, underscoring how O’Leary’s words reflect a harmful misuse of a term that carries deep emotional and social weight.
The reaction among public figures and advocacy groups has been largely critical. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers described the comments as “shocking” and supported calls from the National Women’s Council and others demanding O’Leary retract the statement. Junior Transport Minister Jerry Buttimer echoed this sentiment, urging O’Leary to apologize, highlighting the inappropriateness of equating the experiences of victims to business competition rhetoric.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s Chief Executive, Rachel Morrogh, condemned O’Leary’s remarks as “lazy and uninformed,” warning that such language risks normalizing sexual violence. Morrogh indicated she plans to offer O’Leary training on the negative effects of trivializing rape in public discourse. Similarly, the survivors’ advocacy group Eist criticized the “casual” use of a word associated with sexual violence as a metaphor for corporate competition, suggesting it undermines the gravity of the issue and disrespects those affected.
Forsa, the union representing Ryanair cabin crew in Ireland, also described the CEO’s comments as “deeply inappropriate,” reflecting concerns within the airline industry regarding the damaging impact of his language.
O’Leary’s remarks have sparked a wider debate about corporate rhetoric, social responsibility, and sensitivity to survivors of sexual violence. As criticism mounts from victims, advocacy organizations, political figures, and unions, the Ryanair CEO faces increasing pressure to reconsider his language and offer meaningful reparations for the harm caused.