Ex-Cranberries singer released after ‘air assault’

The incident is said to have happened on an Aer Lingus flight from New York. Picture: PA

Dolores O’Riordan was detained at Shannon Airport in Ireland after a female flight attendant suffered an injured foot during an incident on the service from New York.

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The musician was taken in for questioning after the plane landed at 4.47am but later transferred to hospital.

A Garda was allegedly assaulted during the arrest.

It is understood Ms O’Riordan complained of being ill in Shannon Garda Station, a doctor was called and on the medic’s advice she was taken to hospital in Limerick for assessment.

A Garda spokesman confirmed the singer was released from custody after 3pm.

“Investigations are ongoing and a file on the case is being prepared,” the spokesman said.

Ms O’Riordan was also discharged from hospital.

The incident occurred in the business section of Aer Lingus flight EI 110 from New York’s JFK airport shortly before it came in to land in Shannon.

A Garda spokesman said: “Gardai were called to meet the aircraft following an allegation of an assault on a female Aer Lingus air hostess. A Garda was also assaulted during the course of the arrest.”

It is understood the air hostess suffered a suspected fracture in one of her feet and was taken to hospital for X-ray and medical treatment.

The Garda who was injured did not require hospital care.

A spokesman for Shannon Airport said the flight touched down before 5am.

“I can confirm that the incident took place on board Aer Lingus’ daily service from New York to Shannon. An arrest was made following arrival at 4.47am,” the spokesman said.

O’Riordan, 43, was detained under section four of the Criminal Justice Act and was questioned on allegations of assault. Gardai had the power to detain her for a total of 24 hours.

Originally from Limerick in the west of Ireland, the distinctive singer is a multi award-winning musician after securing the role of lead singer of the Cranberries when she was just 18.

She is married with three children and has been living in Dublin.

The Cranberries went on to be one of the biggest bands of the 1990s, selling tens of millions of records.

A spokesman for the airline Aer Lingus described the incident as a “security matter”.

“An incident took place on board flight EI 110 en route from New York to Shannon today. The matter is being investigated by An Garda Siochana. As this is a security matter we will not comment any further,” the spokesman said.

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