Michael O'Leary gives evidence in Bellew non-compete case

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Michael O'Leary gave evidence in the High Court in Peter Bellew's non-compete case, reported on 4 December 2019. The hearing concerned Ryanair's claim that Bellew could not join rival airline EasyJet under a 12-month contractual restriction.

O'Leary said he was surprised when Bellew told him he planned to join EasyJet after leaving Ryanair. He said Ryanair offered Bellew an earlier release, but Bellew maintained that the restriction did not apply.

Ryanair sought orders enforcing the alleged restriction, while Bellew denied breaching his contract and argued that the clause was unenforceable. The hearing before Mr Justice Senan Allen was continuing.