Founder of Ryanair dies

Oct 4 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

RYANAIR founder Dr Tony Ryan has died at the age of 71.

A family statement said the Irish entre-preneur passed away at his home in Cel-bridge, Co Kildare, after a long illness.

As a mark of respect, Ryanair has cancelled its press conference due to take place at the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce today.

Born in Co Tipper-ary, Dr Ryan founded aircraft leasing firm Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA) in 1975 and later co-founded Ryanair in 1985.

A family statement said: “Our beloved Tony bore his illness with determined strength of character and great courage.

“We are thankful to the many medical and nursing professionals for their wonderful care and kindness in hospitals in Ireland and the United States.”

“We are proud of Tony’s many achievements, of his spirit of entrepren-eurship which created enterprise and opportunity for many people in this country and abroad and, most especially, we are proud to have been his loving and loved family.”

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