Founder of Ryanair dies at 71

Tony Ryan, who, as founder of Ryanair, was a pioneer of the European low-cost airline industry, died on Wednesday after a long illness at the age of 71.

The son of a train driver, he became one of the giants of Irish business and was a role model who inspired a generation of younger business leaders. Among them were Denis O'Brien, the telecoms entrepreneur, Michael O'Leary, Ryanair chief executive and Domhnal Slattery, founder of Jetbird, all of whom at one stage worked for him.