The High Court has deferred a decision on an application by a Ryanair pilot for the company's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, and two other executives to be imprisoned for alleged contempt of a court order.

Mr Justice Barry White, who heard the application earlier this month and reserved his decision, said yesterday that he did not propose giving his judgment on the contempt matter until the full hearing of proceedings by pilot John Goss against Ryanair had concluded.

The judge said it would be more appropriate that judgment on the contempt matter should not be given until after the full hearing of proceedings due to begin next Tuesday before Mr Justice Declan Budd.

On May 13th last, Mr Justice White reserved judgment on a claim by Captain Goss that Ryanair, in failing to restore him to flying duties, was in contempt of an earlier court order.

Capt Goss brought an application for the attachment and committal to prison of Mr O'Leary; the company's director of flight and ground operations, David O'Brien; and its chief pilot, Ray Conway. An order for the sequestration (seizure) of Ryanair's assets is also being sought.

When the case was again before the court on May 18th, it was stated that Captain Goss had been re-rostered by the airline and was back flying.

On April 27th last, Capt Goss, of Malahide, Co Dublin, was granted a mandatory injunction compelling Ryanair to reinstate Capt Goss to flying duties.

Mr O'Leary and Capt Goss were in court yesterday for the anticipated judgment.