O'Leary apologises 'unreservedly' over 'rapist' comments

The Chief Executive of Ryanair Michael O'Leary has apologised "sincerely and unreservedly" for using the term "high-fare rapists" in reference to the airline's competitors.

Mr O'Leary had been accused of "trivialising" rape after making the remarks ahead of his airline's annual general meeting in Dublin last week.

In a video posted on YouTube, Mr O'Leary said that, in conversation with "family and friends", he has come to realise that the word has caused considerable "upset and offence" to a wide number of people, "especially to victims and survivors".

"I want to apologise sincerely and unreservedly to those people, especially to the survivors," he said.

"I am truly sorry for the offence and the upset I have caused you by my careless use of those words. It won't happen again."

Mr O’Leary had initially refused to apologise , saying it was "absolutely" appropriate to compare other airlines to rapists.