Sinead Kavanagh. Image via: sineadkavanaghko/ Instagram Sinead Kavanagh, 39, the Irish MMA fighter and friend of Conor McGregor, was arrested on Monday evening following a violent altercation aboard a Ryanair flight from Gran Canaria to Dublin. The plane was preparing for takeoff around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. when the flight crew reportedly could not control a disturbance involving Kavanagh, prompting the pilot to request police intervention. The fighter spent the night in a police cell before appearing in court on Tuesday. Reports indicate two Civil Guard officers were injured during the incident and are currently off work.The arrest has drawn widespread attention due to Kavanagh’s status as a prominent Irish athlete. Known for her achievements in boxing and MMA, she has been ranked 10th at Women’s Featherweight by Fight Matrix and competed alongside Katie Taylor for Ireland in the 2021 World Championships. Kavanagh’s career shift from national boxing champion to professional MMA fighter adds further intrigue to the story.
Sinead Kavanagh allegedly assaults Spanish police officers on Ryanair flight
According to Spanish media, Sinead Kavanagh resisted officers who boarded the plane to handle the disturbance. Footage from local outlets showed her grappling with two uniformed Civil Guard members in the plane aisle, shouting in English as they tried to restrain her.
Detenida la luchadora de MMA irlandesa Sinead Kavanagh en un vuelo en Gran Canaria
Canarias 7 reported the officers sustained injuries from repeated blows during the struggle, forcing them to take time off work. Four officers were eventually required to escort her from the plane.While some reports describe the incident as assault, a Civil Guard spokesperson clarified, “It was for disobedience towards a police officer. There was a tussle on board the plane but no assault as such.” Nevertheless, the Unified Association of Civil Guards, which posted the video online, described Kavanagh as a professional MMA fighter who “injured two Civil Guards while fighting with bare hands and without proper resources.”
Sinead Kavanagh’s background and sporting career
Hailing from the Dublin suburb of Inchicore, Sinead Kavanagh is a five-time national boxing champion who transitioned to MMA after several losses in boxing. She competed professionally in featherweight bouts and gained recognition for her resilience inside the cage. On Instagram, Kavanagh described herself as “fighting is in my blood.” Her connection to Conor McGregor adds to the profile of the incident, bringing additional media scrutiny as authorities continue their investigation.Kavanagh was released on bail following her court appearance, with the ongoing criminal investigation expected to determine any further legal consequences stemming from the Ryanair flight incident.Also Read: Former Manchester City star sparks controversy with raunchy photoshoot alongside Olympian girlfriend after splitting from ex-lover