@Goaround737 - If your first paragraph referred to what I said I, like VJW, entirely believe that your friend had to re-sit all of his exams and now works for Ryanair. I was only referring to my personal experience and what I understand to be the current requirements! (I may of course be wrong...)
To clarify I was verbally asked to confirm my ATPL passes were series one - I did so and that was that. It wasn't really a big deal at the time. How (or if) it would be possible to check up I have no idea!
I knew a guy at groundschool who had to restart after failing one subject too many times... It could be argued I imagine that going through that particular experience a second time does show dedication.