Flybe seemed to run a lot of marginal or even unprofitable routes so I'm sure if Cork was even vaguely viable they would have tried it. They would presumably have had some data on the route as from what I recall it was operated as a Flybe franchise by Manx2 before the tragic crash. I think the ATR planes would just be too big for the route. If was going to work it would need a smaller plane and Eastern or Loganair would be better placed for this.
Flybe had nothing to do with Manx2. BHD-ORK was not operated as Flybe franchise. Pure Manx2 operation