A woman who won free flights for life when she became Ryanair's millionth passenger told the High Court yesterday she had rejected an offer by the airline to settle her legal action against it because it was "slightly ambiguous" and she no longer trusted the company.
Ryanair had offered to settle Ms Jane O'Keeffe's action on the basis that she could have free flights for herself and a nominated companion, subject to availability.
It also offered her €4,000 compensation and said it would pay her legal costs.
However, Ms O'Keeffe told Mr Justice Kelly yesterday she did not trust Ryanair any more. If Ryanair had lived up to its promise to her, it would not be in court, she added.
Asked by Mr Martin Hayden SC, for Ryanair, was she aware legal proceedings issued on her behalf had sought £400,000 compensation, Ms O'Keeffe said she did not know the amount.
A mother of two, Ms O'Keeffe (35), of Mount Eagle View, Leopardstown Heights, Dublin, is suing Ryanair for damages for misrepresentation and loss of expectation. Ryanair, in its defence, claims there is no enforceable contract in law.
It claims Ms O'Keeffe had simply received a gift bestowed on her by the company.
Yesterday, Ms O'Keeffe, giving her reasons for rejecting the Ryanair offer, said she would feel very awkward having to ring up and ask for a flight given all that had taken place. She said everybody would know her and all that had happened.
She also believed the offer was "slightly ambiguous". It was dependent on notification and dependent on seats and flight availability. These were the same matters which had caused her concern previously and which had them in court.
"It's an issue of trust with me now," she said. She felt Ryanair would not live up to its obligations based on her experience of the company. The hearing continues on Tuesday.