Ryanair launches High Court challenge over banned TV debate

Ryanair is due in the High Court today in its bid to launch a legal challenge against the Irish takeover panel's decision to ban a television debate between the airline's boss Michael O'Leary and Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion.

The scheduled head-to-head over the takeover of Aer Lingus was cancelled after an order from the panel - which is responsible for monitoring and supervising takeovers.

Michael O'Leary has slammed the move as a "violation of press freedom".