CCTV footage shows 60-strong armed Irish gang engaged in 'ridiculous' violence in 'warzone' at boxing event
Nearly 60 men turned up in 13 vehicles to the sports centre, seemingly to target a small group of men inside. What followed was what police described as "ridiculous" mass violence that would last for the next 20 minutes
The conclusion of a major police investigation has revealed how a junior boxing event descended into "ridiculous" violence in just 20 minutes.
Chilling CCTV shows how the family event in Ryton, a Warwickshire village on the border of Coventry, turned into a "warzone" in just minutes after a convoy of armed men turned up.
Nearly 60 men turned up in 13 vehicles to the sports centre, seemingly to target a small group of men inside. However, what followed was what Warwickshire Police described as "ridiculous" mass violence that would last for the next 20 minutes.
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The "outrageous" trouble flared on February 15, 2020, but could only be reported on following the conclusion of sentencing at Warwick Crown Court on July 18, 2024. Following sentencing, Warwickshire Police revealed how events unfolded, and how a cross-police force investigation resulted in dozens of men being sent to jail.
The incident took place during a national amateur junior boxing championship being staged at Ryton. CCTV footage shows the moment a "brazen" crew of 60 men turned up in a 13-vehicle convoy with boots filled with weapons. Inside the venue were around 300 members of the public, which included youngsters competing in the competition and their families. The mob stormed the venue, throwing chairs and attacking people. Some of the attack footage was even shared on social media, said police.
26 men then returned armed with weapons from their cars, including pickaxe handles, axes, knives and spades. Indoor CCTV footage shows how members of a smaller group were cornered in a bar, where the large mob tried to get to them.
One man was forced to the ground and kicked, punched, and slashed with a blade, leaving him with injuries that required stitches to his face. The venue was severely damaged and the event brought to a halt. An investigation involving Warwickshire Police, Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police identified dozens of men, largely from the London and Buckinghamshire area.
The Crown Prosecution Service later authorised 29 men to be charged with violent disorder, with some also charged additionally with assault leading to grievous bodily harm and an array of weapons offences.
A series of trials saw scores of convictions, culminating in a series of sentencings that concluded this month. Detective Constable Middleton said: "This was a brazen, outrageous incident that saw people injured and would have caused huge distress to hundreds of members of the public who had simply attended a venue to enjoy a sporting event.
"Why any member of this group thought they would get away with turning a public venue into a warzone is beyond both me and the rest of the team who took part in this investigation. This has been a huge undertaking and I welcome the sentences handed out. All those involved in this ridiculous, dangerous behaviour now have plenty of time - whether it be through doing unpaid work or sitting in a prison cell - to reflect on their actions.
"The message is clear - there is no safety in numbers for people involved in violent disorder. Behave like this in our communities, and we'll be catching up with you."
The 23 men convicted were:
- Larry McCarthy, 30, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, was jailed for 40 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife.
- Anthony McDonagh, 29, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, was jailed for 44 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife.
- Declan McDonagh, 23, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
- William McDonagh, 36, of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, was jailed for 42 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife.
- Denis Murphy, 43, of Golborne Road, London, was jailed for 28 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
- Francis O'Donnell, 24, of Lynton Close, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and to possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 33 months.
- Simon G. O'Donnell Snr, 43, of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 30 months.
- Simon O'Donnell Jnr, 22, of Stable Way, London, was jailed for 30 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
- Charles Ward, 47, of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, was jailed for 25 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of a knife; he had already served five months on remand.
- Patrick Corcoran, 35, of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 27 months.
- Martin J. McDonagh, 35, of Burnhill Close, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was jailed for 29 months.
- Michael O'Donnell, 26 of Hadrian Way, Staines-upon-Thames, was found guilty of violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced in his absence to four years imprisonment.
- Richard O'Donnell, 33, of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 28 months.
- Edward McDonagh, 35, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, was jailed for 44 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.
- Martin G. McDonagh, 41, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 40 months.
- Steven McDonagh, 37, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment.
- Anthony T. O'Donnell, 29, of Middle Ground, Wheatley, Oxfordshire, was jailed for 32 months after being found guilty of violent disorder after trial.
- Anthony O'Donnell, 34, of Old Maidstone Road, Sidcup, Kent was given a 22-month prison sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
- Simon G. O'Donnell, 36, of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been given a sentence of four months imprisonment, suspended for one year, along with 100 hours of unpaid work.
- Jason O'Donnell, 35, of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He was sentenced to three months imprisonment suspended for one year, and 100 hours of unpaid work.
- Daniel North, 37, of Bramley Road, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been given a sentence of three months imprisonment, suspended for one year, along with 80 hours of unpaid work.
- Simon C. O'Donnell, 37, of Stable Way, London pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been sentenced to a 12-month community order with 70 hours of unpaid work.
- Brian O'Donnell, 46 of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 80 hours of unpaid work.
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