Ryanair fails in bid to overturn €94k damages award

The Court of Appeal has upheld a €94,000 damages award made to a cabin supervisor from Cavan who sustained injuries during a workplace accident aboard a Ryanair aircraft. Fiona Nangle, aged 41 from Latt Hills, successfully sued the airline following a fall on 11 February 2018 aboard a Dublin-Warsaw flight. The High Court had previously awarded her €70,000 in general damages and €24,000 in special damages after finding she slipped on de-icing fluid tracked into the cabin by passengers. Ryanair appealed, claiming the trial judge had prejudiced its defence through excessive questioning and that the damages quantum was excessive. The three-judge appellate panel rejected all grounds of appeal, finding the trial judge had conducted proceedings fairly and appropriately. The court noted that in civil trials before a judge sitting alone, active judicial questioning is both permissible and often preferable. Ms Nangle was awarded her legal costs of the appeal.