A pilot who claims she was unfairly dismissed by Ryanair over an incident in which she left an aircraft having been allegedly subjected by the captain to numerous acts of harassment, including sexual harassment, may proceed with her action, the High Court has directed.
Ms Cliodhna Duggan, of Raheny, Dublin, claims that the termination of her employment was on foot of a conspiracy between Ryanair to demonstrate its power vis-à-vis pilots and to send a signal that it would not accept critical comments from pilots.
In an affidavit, Ms Duggan said she was "shaking and terrified" after Captain Les Hounsome shouted at her during a flight from Charleroi to Prestwick on July 10th, 2001. She had told him and her cabin supervisor that she could not fly the return leg with him.
Earlier, the captain had shouted at her a number of times, including when the two had clashed over whether the autopilot should be connected. He told her: "You'll fly it the way I tell you to fly it, young lady."
After the first flight with him, he had patted her leg and said "good girl". She said he was in the habit of touching her arm and cornering her when talking to her.
Ms Duggan claims she was summoned to a meeting on July 12th and was treated in a "most disparaging manner" by Mr John Osborne, director of group operations with Ryanair. On July 16th, Mr Osborne read her a letter informing her that she was dismissed.
Ryanair Ltd denies that Ms Duggan was subjected to harassment, bullying or physical and verbal assault by Captain Hounsome. It also denies that she was subjected to unfair disciplinary procedures or that the termination of her employment was in breach of contract.
The company pleads that Ms Duggan had never, before July 10th, 2001, made the company aware of any difficulties with Captain Hounsome. Ryanair also pleads that Captain Hounsome was the senior captain, with vastly greater experience.
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