Ryanair case to hear video evidence

The Employment Appeals Tribunal is to make history in an unfair dismissals case involving a cabin crew member who allegedly fell asleep on a Ryanair flight, by taking evidence via video link to Australia.

It will be the first time that the tribunal has taken evidence using the long-distance technology.

Vanessa Redmond denies that she fell asleep on a flight from Dublin to Durham, England, in May 2005 and has brought proceedings for unfair dismissal against Ryanair.

Ms Redmond joined Ryanair in February 1999 and had reached the rank of senior cabin crew by the time of her dismissal in July 2005.

On May 19th, 2005, she was the senior member of a three-person cabin crew when it is alleged she blocked off the first row of passenger seats, sat in the row in breach of procedures, read a book and fell asleep or appeared to be asleep.

The tribunal yesterday accepted assurances from Killian O'Reilly, representing Ryanair, that Matt Shepherd, who was a passenger on the flight and made the complaint against Ms Redmond, would be available to give evidence from Perth in Australia next October. Mr Shepherd emigrated to Australia in the last couple of months.

Tribunal chairman Eoin Martin warned Mr O'Reilly of the serious consequences for his client if Mr Shepherd was not available to testify.

Samantha Clark, European business manager with Ryanair, continued with her evidence yesterday.

She told the tribunal, under cross-examination by Dermot O'Loughlin, that Ms Redmond had resumed working for the airline after a period of sick leave following a disciplinary hearing and after the company had made a decision to dismiss her.

The company alleged Ms Redmond was guilty of gross misconduct and had compromised passenger safety. "We shouldn't have allowed her to fly. In hindsight, it was an error," she said.

The tribunal will continue today and will adjourn this evening to resume in October.