Ryanair's director of human resources, strategy and operations has rejected claims the airline's pilot representative system for negotiating pay and conditions was a sham.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has denied he once described pilots as "overpaid underworked peacocks".

Michael O’Leary has insisted his employees have the best job security in Europe, as well as a “sophisticated” collective bargaining process.

Ryanair has become involved in a fresh row with disgruntled pilots over employment conditions.

Ryanair has announced average pay increases of 10% for all its cabin crew as well as increases of up to 10% for a number of its pilots, including those based in Cork and Shannon.

At least 24 people were injured when members of Guinea’s rival political parties began throwing rocks at each other after a campaign event, said a party official and a doctor at the hospital where the injured were being treated.

A US helicopter made an emergency lading near the Iraqi town of Fallujah today, apparently after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.