Yes, you're right. So far as I can see, Ryanair's rule restricts OLCI to EU/EEA people only, regardless of whether the flight should actually require passports or not. So I guess they are indeed acting once again just like one would expect of Ryanair.
http://www.bookryanair.com/checkngo/...n.cgi?pos=HEAD

For EasyJet rules about OLCI (no mention of nationality):
http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Flying/index.html

In both cases, OLCI is for people with hand baggage only - a single piece no bigger than 55x40x20 cm.