O’Leary forces Government showdown

RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary has forced the Government into a showdown meeting on the future of Shannon’s Heathrow service.

Yesterday, Mr O’Leary used Ryanair’s 25% stake in Aer Lingus to call shareholders to a vote at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), which must be held within the next three weeks.

If the vote goes ahead, the Government, as the largest shareholder, will have the power to decide if the Heathrow slots should remain at Shannon.