Judge orders arrest of MMA star Sinead Kavanagh

Tom Tuite

A judge has ordered the arrest of professional MMA fighter Sinead Kavanagh after she again failed to appear in court over an alleged air rage incident.

The 40-year-old was due back at Dublin District Court on Thursday, July 30th, where her case was listed to enter a plea, but she did not appear, and her lawyer was not present due to ongoing industrial action.

Judge Karen Dowling noted that while Kavanagh had no prior record of bench warrants, she had previously failed to attend a fortnight ago.

Gardaí had been instructed to notify her to return to the court on July 23rd, but she again failed to turn up.

Judge Dowling subsequently issued a bench warrant for her arrest.

A summary of the prosecution evidence had been handed over previously.

Last month, her solicitor told the court that Kavanagh needed more time to determine whether there would be any additional disclosure from potential witnesses, given the location of the alleged incident.

The defence has said it was a matter that the gardaí had not witnessed. It was submitted that in those circumstances, there may be statements that should be furnished.

Kavanagh is accused of an offence under section 2 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act. According to the charge, it is alleged that on March 8th, while on board Aer Lingus flight EI1765, which was within the jurisdiction of the State, she engaged in behaviour that was threatening and abusive.

The featherweight fighter and Inchicore native is a former five-time national boxing champion who represented Ireland alongside Katie Taylor at the 2012 World Championships. She later switched to professional mixed martial arts.

The mother of one has 28,000 Instagram followers and a profile that states: "Fighting is in my blood, True Dub".