CANARY ISLAND- Professional MMA fighter Sinead Kavanagh, 39, was arrested on Monday evening (November 24, 2025) after an onboard disturbance resulted in two Spanish police officers being injured. The incident occurred on a Ryanair (FR) flight scheduled to depart from Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) to Dublin Airport (DUB).
The aircraft was preparing for take-off around 7.30 pm when the cabin crew requested police assistance. Officers from the Civil Guard boarded the aircraft after crew members reported that they were unable to manage an escalating confrontation involving the passenger.
Photo: Steve Knight | Flickr
Ryanair Onboard Disturbance
Local reports indicate that the crew alerted the flight deck after observing what they described as aggressive behaviour.
The pilot subsequently requested police intervention. When two Civil Guard officers entered the cabin, the passenger allegedly resisted their instructions and physically confronted them.
A video published by local media shows a woman shouting in English while struggling with officers in the narrow aisle as they attempted to restrain her. One of the officers involved appeared to be female.
Photo: simon butler | Flickr
Police Injuries Reported
According to Spanish outlets, both Civil Guard officers suffered injuries significant enough to require time off duty.
Authorities said the passenger refused to comply with instructions and struck the officers multiple times during the confrontation.
Additional officers were called for support, and the woman was removed from the aircraft. She was held in an airport holding cell overnight before appearing in court on Tuesday.
She was later released on bail pending the ongoing criminal investigation.
Photo: Echo
Background of Sinead Kavanagh
Kavanagh, who is from the Dublin suburb of Inchicore, previously competed as a boxer and became a five-time national champion. She represented Ireland alongside Katie Taylor at the 2021 World Championships before transitioning to MMA.
She was ranked tenth in the Women’s Featherweight category at different periods between 2021 and 2022. Her philosophy, in life and in general, was encapsulated in her own words quoted in the Irish Examiner:
You kind of have to prove a point that you are serious and you are good. I suppose that’s the same in life as well. You have to work for your respect and then you get it, and that’s what I want to show the women in the seminar, too.”
Spanish national media have begun reporting on the case, though authorities have not yet issued an official statement.
Photo- Ryanair’s Corporate Website
Bottom Line
The incident prompted a law enforcement response after the flight crew on a Ryanair service departing from Gran Canaria could not de-escalate a passenger disturbance.
Two Civil Guard officers were injured during the onboard struggle, leading to the arrest of Irish MMA fighter Sinead Kavanagh.
Legal proceedings are underway while aviation authorities and airline representatives continue to monitor developments.
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