Nothing this airline does surprises me any more. On the other hand:
But their plans fell into disarray after the Irish airline ruled the cases, which could have fitted in an overhead locker, were bigger than the permitted size - 55cms by 40cms by 20cms.
I can't fault Ryanair enforcing its stated rules. OTOH:
Executive director Douglas Gowan is now preparing to take legal action against the budget airline for breach of contract.
He claims Ryanair had agreed the instruments would be exempt from the hand luggage limit when the tickets were booked a month ago.
This would seem to swing things back in the musicians' favor. But did they get this agreement in writing? If so, it would seem to be an open and shut case.