SHARON CORR LEFT 'HUMILIATED' AND IN TEARS AFTER SHE CLAIMS SHE WAS REFUSED BOARDING ON RYANAIR FLIGHT
Sharon Corr has claimed that she was left in tears after not being allowed to board a Ryanair flight as she was carrying her violin.
The Irish musician, 54, who lives in Madrid, was supposed to fly home to Ireland to rehearse with her siblings for their upcoming July tour dates in the UK and Spain.
The Corrs singer said she felt 'humiliated' and angry as she was turned away at the gate - after already checking in her bags - because she had brought her violin.
Sharon said she was in the airport for seven hours on Sunday before she eventually had to return home.
She posted about the ordeal on social media, writing: 'Today I was booked on a Ryanair flight. I got up at 6 in the morning. I was not allowed on the flight because I had my violin.
'I was in the airport for 7 hours. I had to return home after searching for my checked in bags. Humiliated, angry, then crying as only a good woman can do.
'Why was I going to Dublin? My home turf, to rehearse, to go on tour! I’m beyond disappointed. Michael O’Leary shame on you.'
In a statement, a Ryanair spokesperson told MailOnline: 'This passenger was not refused travel from Madrid to Dublin (30 Jun).
'This passenger's violin exceeded the cabin bag dimensions permitted for her flight, and therefore was required to pay a standard gate baggage fee to place it in the hold of the aircraft.
'This passenger refused to pay the standard fee and instead chose not to travel on this flight.'
Ryanair's website states that passengers may carry music equipment onboard as long as it fits the strict dimensions of their cabin bag allowance. If not, passengers must either pay for an extra seat on the plane to place the instrument, or they can check it in the hold - although musicians may not want to do this if their instruments are delicate.
The Corrs have four upcoming shows in July, as they are set to support Shania Twain at BST Hyde Park on July 7, as well as other festival dates in Gloucestershire and in Spain.