How long was this flight?
If it was a short one - and I think most Ryanair flights are short ones, why does it really matter to sit apart for a couple hours?
My wife and I are both million milers - and we are perfectly fine with having empty seats as opposed to being squeezed together in adjacent small discount airline seats.
The only time this rule is superseded is when it is a full plane. In that case, I am acceptable as the spacer...