O'Leary flies below ITN's radar at T2

MICHAEL O’LEARY was loitering with intent at the launch party for the new Terminal 2 in Dublin airport last Friday, wearing a cheap undertaker’s suit and carrying a large wreath of poppies.

That’s to say nothing of the dodgy “Movember” moustache that he has grown in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

At one point, an ITN reporter and cameraman, in a plummy English accent, asked the great man if he’d mind doing a piece with them, while they waited for Brian Cowen to arrive for the opening.

Not at all, said the Ryanair boss, before launching into a well-rehearsed tirade about Irish tourism being dead and T2 being a symbol of our property bust and Government incompetence.

“That’s great . . . Thank you,” said the ITN reporter before politely inquiring: “Who are you?”

Fortunately, O’Leary was leaning against a railing. Otherwise he might have fallen over with the shock.

“Michael O’Leary . . . chief executive of Ryanair,” he said slowly, with an arched eyebrow and more than a hint of sarcasm.

“Ooh, right,” came the reply from the ITN journalist, who must be the only hack in Europe not to recognise O’Leary.

“Ah, jaysus lads, is it the Ronnie ?” O’Leary asked. “Poxy ITN . . . talk about doing your research.

“Where the f**k did you get him?” asked O’Leary of the ITN cameraman, who by this stage was in stitches laughing.

“He’s over from Brussels,” the cameraman replied.

“Well, I hope he flew with Ryanair,” said O’Leary, never missing a branding opportunity.