Despite enduring a High Court case that lasted four days, at an estimated cost of €200,000, both sides in the Ryanair case expressed themselves very satisfied with the outcome yesterday.
Ms Jane O'Keeffe was awarded €67,500 in compensation, along with her costs, for Ryanair breaching a contract to supply her with free flights for life in return for her participating in publicity associated with her nomination as the airline's millionth passenger.
About half an hour after Mr Justice Peter Kelly delivered his reserved judgment yesterday, Ms O'Keeffe, of Leopardstown, Co Dublin, emerged from the Four Courts with her husband, Mr Mark Higginbotham, and her lawyers.
She told journalists that she was delighted with the outcome of the case and felt fully vindicated.
"The judge considered the evidence very thoroughly and very fairly," she said. Describing the trial as "an ordeal", she thanked her legal team and her family for their support.
During the hearing, Mrs O'Keeffe was asked by counsel for Ryanair if she was aware that legal proceedings had been issued on her behalf seeking compensation of £400,000 (€507,000). She said she did not know the amount. Mr O'Leary had acknowledged at the hearing that Mrs O'Keeffe was suing the company for more than £360,000 (€457,000).
Asked if she was disappointed with the amount of the compensation, she said she was not. "I was always advised by my legal team that this would be the kind of figure I would get if we were lucky enough to win," she said. Asked again if she had expected substantially more money, she replied: "No."
Journalists then asked her if she would travel with Ryanair again. "I anticipated being asked that question," she said, laughing, "and I'd say, 'subject to availability'."
She added that she did not want to discuss Ryanair. "The court said I was treated shabbily. I was very, very upset by the telephone call [to Mr Michael O'Leary] and I was vindicated," she said.
She declined to say anything else pending the hearing tomorrow, where Ryanair is due to offer an interim payment pending a possible appeal.
However, in a brief statement issued on behalf of Ryanair yesterday, the airline said it would not be appealing the verdict or the award.
Describing the airline as "very satisfied" with the outcome of the case, the statement said: "The airline will not be lodging an appeal, and confirmed that it was pleased that the matter had at last been brought to a conclusion."