Ryanair has secured a High Court order restraining two members of the Irish Airline Pilots Association and its British counterpart, BALPA, from deleting or destroying codenames used on the Ryanair European Pilots Association (REPA) website.
Ryanair claims that persons allegedly known to the defendants are engaged in a concerted process of intimidation, bullying, harassment and criminal activity designed to dissuade pilots from taking up positions as pilots with a new aircraft fleet.
Yesterday's order was made returnable for April 4th. Ryanair is seeking an order directing the defendants to disclose the details of the names and address of those who are referred to by codenames on the REPA website.
Yesterday, Richard Nesbitt SC, with Martin Hayden SC, for Ryanair told Mr Justice O'Sullivan the airline was in the process of converting its Dublin fleet to 737-800 aircraft and was seeking pilots. The company became aware in December 2004 of allegations of bullying and harassment of Ryanair pilots for the purpose of dissuading them from accepting positions in Dublin flying these aircraft.
While Ryanair could not access the websites allegedly concerned, it had obtained printouts of what purported to be communication between members of REPA on the site.
In an affidavit, Eddie Wilson, director of personnel with Ryanair, said a REPA member with the codename "ihateryanair" posted a massage on the website, saying: "We are all united here...every one of us. They are not welcome and they will know it as soon as they walk in." Mr Wilson said he understood the references to "they" was to Ryanair pilots who were considering applying or who had applied to fly 737-800 aircraft in Dublin.
Another message on the website allegedly says: "The really sad thing is that no one likes a turncoat, neither the company or their friends, because, if they will do it once, how can you trust that they will not do it again."
Mr Wilson said that while Ryanair accepted the rights of individuals to join trade unions if they wished, REPA was not a registered trade union.
He said REPA was set up in October 2004 and its website was designed to allow Ryanair pilots communicate with one another in a manner designed to obscure the identity of the person communicating through the use of codenames and password procedures.
