Darts ace and brother avoid jail over booze-fuelled violence in takeaway

AN up-and-coming darts player has avoided jail for his role in a drink-fuelled brawl in a takeaway while celebrating a competition win.

- BY TOM TUITE

Ronan McDonagh, 24, a regular winner on the amateur darts circuit on the cusp of turning professional, and his 28-year-old brother, Dylan McDonagh, a former rugby player, pleaded guilty to a violent disorder incident on April 24, 2022.

At Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, each brother received a three-year suspended sentence. They were ordered to pay a combined €10,000 to a man and his partner who were set upon and injured during the "perfect storm" incident at a fast food restaurant on Main Street, Moate, Co Westmeath.

Judge Keenan Johnson noted that the brothers' team had been celebrating after winning a darts competition. They had "too much to drink" and decided to stop for some food, but "this was a celebration that turned to disaster because of excessive consumption of alcohol".