An Irish mixed-martial-arts fighter was arrested Monday evening after an onboard disturbance aboard a Ryanair flight in Gran Canaria escalated into a physical confrontation that left two Spanish Civil Guard officers injured. The incident, which unfolded as the aircraft prepared for departure, has prompted a criminal investigation and drawn international media attention due to the passenger’s sporting profile.
Authorities identified the suspect as 39-year-old Sinead Kavanagh, a professional MMA competitor from Inchicore, Dublin. The altercation occurred shortly before 7:30 p.m. on November 24, 2025, on a Ryanair service scheduled to depart Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) for Dublin (DUB). According to local officials, the flight crew requested police assistance when they were unable to calm what they described as an aggressively escalating dispute involving Kavanagh.
Crew Request Police Intervention
The aircraft had not yet left the stand when cabin crew alerted the captain that they were unable to de-escalate the situation. Local media reports state that staff observed increasingly hostile behavior and opted to involve the flight deck. The pilot then made the call for law enforcement support.
Officers from Spain’s Civil Guard boarded the aircraft moments later. What followed, according to Spanish reports, was a forceful confrontation in the narrow aisle of the plane. A video published by local outlets shows a woman shouting in English while struggling with officers attempting to restrain her. One of the two officers shown in the footage appears to be female.
When the officers instructed Kavanagh to comply, she allegedly resisted and physically struck them multiple times. The crew and officers were reportedly unable to subdue her without backup, prompting a request for additional law enforcement personnel. Kavanagh was eventually removed from the aircraft and taken into custody.
Injuries to Civil Guard Officers
Spanish outlets reported that both officers involved sustained injuries serious enough to be signed off work. Authorities have not yet disclosed the nature of those injuries, but officials confirmed they occurred during the efforts to restrain the passenger.
Kavanagh was detained overnight in an airport holding cell before appearing in court on Tuesday morning. She was released on bail shortly thereafter while the investigation proceeds.
As of Tuesday evening, Spanish national media continued reporting on the episode, though authorities had not yet issued a formal public statement on the charges or the potential penalties. Assaulting law enforcement personnel in Spain carries significant legal consequences, and further details are expected as the case develops.
High-Profile Passenger
Kavanagh’s arrest has drawn attention beyond the Canary Islands due to her career in combat sports. Before transitioning to MMA, she built a successful amateur boxing career, becoming a five-time national champion. She also represented Ireland at the 2021 World Championships alongside Olympic gold medalist Katie Taylor. At various points between 2021 and 2022, she ranked tenth in the Women’s Featherweight division.
The fighter has been outspoken about the mindset required to succeed in high-level competition and to earn respect in a male-dominated sport. In an interview previously published by the Irish Examiner, she said:
“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.”
Her history and public profile have fueled debate online about the pressures facing professional fighters and how their public behavior is scrutinized.
Ongoing Investigation
Ryanair has not released an official statement regarding the incident, and the airline typically defers to local authorities in cases involving unruly passengers. Aviation experts note that disruptive onboard behavior—particularly during critical phases of flight—has become a growing concern for carriers across Europe.
While no passengers were reported injured in the altercation, the disruption forced a delay as police removed Kavanagh from the plane. It remains unclear whether the flight ultimately departed on schedule or after a significant delay.
Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation, and more information is expected following the completion of officer medical assessments and passenger interviews.
The case highlights ongoing challenges airlines face in managing increasingly volatile inflight conduct—an issue that often requires rapid coordination between crews, pilots and airport police. As legal proceedings advance, airline representatives and aviation authorities are monitoring developments closely.
