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Irish Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Irish taxpayers should charge Michael O'Leary a few little extras on big bonus'
You had to feel for the guy. Anyone who has ever torn open a minimum-wage payslip would have recognised the sense of disillusionment. That moment when you see the pesky taxman has taken his skim off the top and your heart sinks a little. And for Ryanair's rock star CEO Michael O'Leary, that pain is a lot greater than for the rest of us regular working saps. You see, Mick has bagged a €100 million bonus for guiding the budget airline to bumper profits. Asked about it on RTE, he scoffed at the suggestion it was a corporate record. Seemingly other big shots in the city get these fat pay-outs all the time. He then had radio listeners reaching for the violins when he declared the first thing he would have to do with this bonus. A Ryanair plane comes in to land at Dublin Airport during Storm Isha (Image: Collins Photos) Buy a private jet? A racehorse? Maybe an island? No, sir. The first thing he would have to do is hand over €55 million of it to the Irish exchequer. Or to me and you in other words. Mick has never been a man to suffer fools in that classic euphemism that defines a certain no-nonsense kind of bossman. And he left no doubt that's who he feels would be in charge of his tax dollars. Fools who could then give it all to the OPW to blow on a "bike shed or a security hut", he jibed. In Mick's worldview, you wouldn't trust the taxman to take a prize heifer to the Mullingar mart and not swap it for a handful of magic beans on the way. It's pretty clear the Ryanair boss doesn't see the privilege of being a paid-up citizen of the Republic as much bang for his hard-earned bonus bucks. After all, what has the Republic ever done for Mick except elect gobsh**e ministers who cap his capacity to send more people on city breaks to the arse-ends of eastern Europe in February? Well, unless you count the airports maybe. The runways? Then there's the roads and buses that herd his paying punters to the planes of course. Or the functioning democracy and stable economy that mean the bums on seats have the few quid to afford the little luxury of an annual family holiday. Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary (Image: PA Wire/PA Images) But c'mere a minute Mick, surely you didn't think that €55 million was an end of it? It's there in black and white in the 427 pages of Ireland Inc. T&Cs. That's just the entry-level price to enjoy the privilege of living in your Westmeath estate as a law-abiding taxpayer. But we can't help noticing your family want to live beside you in the same county? Eh, that'll be another €10 million thanks, or they might have to go reside in Leitrim. And obviously that basic rate of tax entitles you to all the privileges of citizenship, but who said anything about your belongings? They'll have to pay their own way clearly, unless you want to go around in the nip. Will we say €5 million? And if you don't mind us saying, it takes the State a bit more fuel to carry your fat billionaire lifestyle. You do know you're a member of a class that pollutes the earth more in 90 minutes than the rest of us do in a lifetime? Not to mention Ryanair being in the top 10 polluting companies in Europe. So there will be the small matter of a voluntary carbon tax donation to offset all that damage and havoc – shall we call it another ten mill between friends? By our calculations that brings the total to €80 million. Which still leaves you with the makings of a memorable weekend in Yerevan. We'll even throw in a free jingle of the national anthem when your cheque lands. Thanks for choosing to pay tax with us today. Now can we interest you in buying the National Lottery? Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here
Irish Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Michael O'Leary criticised for 'drive-by commentary' on Dublin metro
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has been criticised for his "insulting" comments on a metro for Dublin, which he called a "waste" of taxpayer money. The 18.8km rail line, most of which will be underground, is to run from north of Swords to Charlemont in the south of Dublin city centre. Various metro projects for the capital have been proposed in recent decades but none have proceeded to build stage. On Tuesday, the Government announced that the MetroLink project would get a €2 billion boost in funding as part of the national development plan, in what Taoiseach Micheal Martin said was "a very definitive commitment to the metro". While Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe indicated the latest estimated cost for the MetroLink was €11 billion, Mr O'Leary claimed it would cost €20 billion, "so about a billion a kilometre". Micheal Martin and Paschal Donohoe (Image: PA Archive/PA Images) "Dublin Airport doesn't need it, Dublin Airport passengers won't use it – they're already well-served by buses," he told RTE Radio on Wednesday, while claiming that less than a third of the airport's passengers use buses. He said that while the tube in London runs from Heathrow and through "all of London", the Metro will only serve a section of Dublin city's residents – around 100,000 people, he claimed. "Here's the madness of this. This thing is going to start at Stephen's Green in the morning. If you want to get to our first wave of departures, which leave at about 6.30 in the morning, you need to be at the airport at 5.30am. "Are you seriously going to drive into the centre of Stephen's Green, where there's no car parking, to get this metro to get to Dublin Airport for 5.30 in the morning? No, you're not. "Let me give you the alternative scenario: for €100 million, this year we could buy 400 buses, and 400 buses would provide exactly the same capacity as this metro from Dublin Airport, in through Ballymun, in through Drumcondra, on bus lanes that already exist." He claimed the plan had not been properly costed and hit out at the Government's handling of public finances. "This Government wasted €330,000 on a bike shed, imagine what they do with an 18-kilometre underground train from an airport?" He also criticised comments by Mr Martin, who said the Irish capital will not be sustainable without a metro. "Does he not understand that the buses actually will all be electrified by the end of this decade, which will actually be greener than light rail?" Labour TD Duncan Smith said Mr O'Leary's criticisms of public infrastructure were as sure "as night follows day". A Ryanair plane comes in to land at Dublin Airport during Storm Isha (Image: Collins Photos) "Dubliners are stuck in daily gridlock. MetroLink is their best chance at affordable, reliable transport that serves communities, not corporate profits. "As a consistent advocate for MetroLink in Swords, I find it insulting to hear this kind of drive-by commentary from someone who clearly doesn't rely on public transport to get to work. "Dublin deserves better than a transport plan from a billionaire whose only experience with buses is when he is pretending to be one." When asked about his endorsement of Enterprise Minister Peter Burke and junior minister Robert Troy during the general election campaign, Mr O'Leary claimed "they're not in government" and criticised Mr Martin again. "I endorsed Peter Burke, who actually topped the poll despite the criticism. I also endorsed Robert Troy – and they're not the government." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Arson arrest following fire at historic airfield
A person has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire engulfed a Grade II* listed World War One hangar. The blaze broke out in Hangar 3 of the Old Sarum Airfield in Wiltshire on 17 April, burning the historic structure to the ground and destroying an adjacent cafe. The inferno came just a week after developers were given the go-ahead to build up to 315 homes on the site following a long battle for permission. Wiltshire Police said the suspect, whose age has not been revealed, has been released on bail while investigations continue. The airfield lies within the setting of a Scheduled Monument, which means it is recognised as a nationally important archaeological site by the government. The airfield operators had been told to make repairs to Hangar 3 - which partially collapsed when Storm Isha struck in January 2024 - as a condition of planning approval. Witnesses at the time told the BBC how roaring flames and billowing plumes of black smoke could be spotted from miles away. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service warned those living nearby to stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut due to the risk of "unknown chemicals". Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Large blaze breaks out at World War One airfield Fresh appeal for footage of large fire at airfield Protecting airfield is about 'protecting heritage' Fire investigators to continue work at airfield Wiltshire Police
BBC News
06-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Old Sarum: Cafe which 'burned to ashes' reopens in mobile van
A cafe which "burned to ashes" in a large fire that destroyed a World War One aircraft hangar has reopened in a mobile van. The team at Hangar 3, based at Old Sarum Airfield near Salisbury, Wiltshire, lost everything in the blaze and have relied on donations from members of the community to get the business up and running again. Justine Scott, the cafe manager, said: "You just have to pick yourself up, stick together as a team and do what you can and get the community involved.'Wiltshire Police is still investigating the cause of the fire that broke out at the Grade II listed site on 17 April. Anybody with footage or information is asked to contact the force. The airfield is home to several organisations, with one hangar housing the Boscombe Down Aviation fire broke out a week after plans to build 315 homes were given the go-ahead after a planning battle. Plans also included restoring the World War One era hangar three that was extensively damaged by Storm Isha last year. Following the incident, the Hangar 3 cafe team put out an appeal on social media for kitchen supplies and equipment to help them to start again. "People came up with so many things... it's been an absolute lifesaver," Ms Scott said. Alex Moldoveanu, the cafe's head chef, said it has been "really tough" but the team is now doing "quite well" in the mobile van."We're going to be reborn,' he said. "[The community] helped us a lot, so we want to give back as much as possible.'
Telegraph
18-04-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Asbestos warning in WW1 airfield fire
Firefighters battled a major blaze at a historic First World War airfield overnight. Residents near the Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury, Wiltshire, were warned to stay indoors because it was feared that there was asbestos in the smoke. Crews were called at 6.38pm on Thursday after a fire broke out at Grade II-listed Hangar 3 – one of several buildings at the site. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Due to the potential for unknown chemicals, please stay inside and keep your windows closed to avoid the smoke.' By 8.30pm, the building had partially collapsed and the flames had spread to an adjacent structure. No casualties have been reported. The service added at 10pm: 'A further relief crew have been brought in from Amesbury and firefighters are continuing to tackle the blaze which is affecting two partially derelict buildings. 'They are using ground monitors and an aerial ladder platform to extinguish. 'Due to the age of the building, we suspect the smoke plume may contain asbestos but investigations are ongoing.' Multiple crews from Amesbury, Salisbury, Ludgershall, Andover and Ringwood attended the scene. The blaze comes just a week after plans to build up to 315 homes on the site were approved following a lengthy planning dispute. The airfield, which is located within a scheduled monument, is recognised by the Government as a nationally important archaeological site. Planning approval had included a requirement for the airfield operators to repair Hangar 3, which suffered structural damage during Storm Isha in January. In its decision, the Planning Inspectorate said the heritage benefits of the scheme 'outweighed' the potential harm. Hangar 3 is one of seven at the Old Sarum site, which initially served as a training depot station for day bombing raids during the First World War. By 1919, it was also home to the School of Army Co-Operation. 'Don't cross safety cordons' Wiltshire Police, who are assisting at the scene, warned the public not to cross safety cordons. A spokesman said: 'Several people have been obstructing emergency workers in an attempt to take photos of the burning building. 'Please avoid the area and respect cordons – they are in place to protect you.' Officers are urging anyone who was in the area between 6pm and 6.30pm to contact 101, quoting log 262 of 17 April, as inquiries into the cause of the fire continue.
