1996/99
For up to date news visit the Connaught Telegraph website.
Ryanair accused of putting profits before people
15 October 1997
By Tom Gillespie in London
Ryanair have come under fire for their controversial decision to cease the carriage of human remains into Knock Airport from the UK.
The latest to voice their concern over the move is Mayo Man of the Year Mr. Kevin Bourke who has described it as "putting profits before people".
Speaking in London, Mr. Bourke called on the airline to reconsider their decision to carry cargo into the Mayo base.
Four weeks ago we exclusively revealed that Ryanair had decided to drop the service after terminating its contract with its cargo sales agent, Pace Airlines Services Ltd.,
This means that emigrants will no longer be able to bring deceased family members back for burial through Knock Airport.
It is estimated that it would cost an additional £1,000 to come into Dublin instead of Knock and the travel time from Dublin could be anything up to seven or eight hours.
Now Mr. Bourke said he had a duty as Mayo Man of the Year to highlight his annoyance with the Ryanair decision.
He said: "The decision of Ryanair and their cargo handlers to discontinue flying in the remains of people who passed away is disgraceful and despicable.
"Ryanair was set up as the ordinary man's airline. But now they make so much money that they have no interest in the people of mayo who helped them in the past.
"I want to ask them to reconsider their decision and put people before profits.".
Mr. Bourke said he condemned the Ryanair decision. He had been to Knock Airport and had seen the sad faces of relatives when remains came in. He hit out: "After all the people who pay the piper should call the tune and we in mayo for too long have been deprived by successive Governments of our own natural rights.
"The basis rights of any human being is the right to life and the right to a peaceful death.
"I am very upset by the decision of Ryanair. How in God's name can you put profits before human beings.
"People from Belmullet now have to travel to Dublin or Shannon to bring their beloved deceased brothers or sisters or relatives home for burial.
"We in the West of Ireland demand our rights. Why should we pay over money to an airline that dies not support us. We support them in the past when they needed us.
"Failing a positive response I would ask people to urge Aer Lingus to fly into Knock Airport again.
I am calling for a better service for our exiles
irrespective of who provides it."
