Ryanair has been cleared of responsibility for litter caused by cut-price air fare promotion leaflets left in the street. Judge Thelma King in Dublin District Court threw out litter summonses against two companies which had organised distribution in Grafton Street last October 18th. A barrister for Dublin Corporation said litter wardens were entitled to issue a summons against those of whom they had "reasonable suspicion" were responsible. Warden Mr John Lowther said he saw leaflets advertising Ryanair being given out and many were being thrown on the ground. He did not approach the distributor but picked up a leaflet as evidence and summonsed Ryanair for causing an activity likely to cause litter.
The head of marketing and sales at Ryanair, Mr John Markey, said the distribution was sub-contracted to a marketing company and no Ryanair staff were involved.
Judge King dismissed the case, saying the litter was the responsibility of people taking the leaflets. She also dismissed a summons against Kid Cool Children's Fashions of Wicklow Street, Dublin, who had also organised a distribution of advertising leaflets on Grafton Street that day.