Interesting case in the Small Claims Court in Balbriggan.
Judge was on verge of confirming settlement when airline’s barrister said she had been instructed to defend claim
www.irishtimes.com
In essence, almost 100 people missed a
Ryanair flight last July because of a global Microsoft IT outage which forced the airline to revert to manual check-ins. Some passengers who were at the airport hours before departure were classified as no-shows, and Ryanair argued that it had no obligation to cover the costs of those who made alternate arrangements to get home.
The flight subsequently took off, leaving the claimant's family of 5 and dozens of others in the departures hall. The family then made their way home via London and the claimant wanted the airline to cover the cost of their return travel, amounting to just under €2,000.
In February 21st the case was settled pending payment, but the claimant subsequently received correspondence from Ryanair that, contrary to what its solicitor told him in court, it would not be settling the case. It cited concerns that Mr Hickey’s wife was also considering a claim, which would take the total claim over the €2,000 limit set for the small claims court!
The judge wasn't impressed by Ryanair's defence, but she has deferred her ruling for the time being. I wonder what the other 90-odd passengers are doing.
