Sir, - I am delighted that Kevin Myers (An Irishman's Diary, February 9th), was able to sip champagne, albeit expensively, on his Ryanair flight to Stansted. If, like me and three companions, he had been booked on the Ryanair flight from Knock to Stansted on Thursday evening, February 3rd, he would have had little inclination to indulge in a tipple.
He would have been told at the last minute that the incoming flight could not land at Knock, and if he made immediate arrangements to go to Dublin he might get on a flight later that evening.
No apology or any compensation for the three-hour drive, the cost of fuel, or the car parking charges was offered. We had to bear these extra costs on top of our "low fare" of £113. We arrived at our hotel in London at midnight.
We had a similar experience at Knock last March, when we were not even allowed to board a flight to Stansted because of overbooking. On that occasion we drove back to Sligo to get a flight to Dublin, and then flew with Cityjet to London. Again, no apology or compensation was given.
The things we endure both on and off the field to watch Ireland play rugby! However one thing is certain: we will travel again and watch the Irish team - they can only improve. But we will not be travelling with Ryanair. - Yours, etc.
Joe Burgess, Rosses Point, Co Sligo.