Former professional jockey Paddy Donaghy has died in hospital aged 39, days after an alleged "one-punch assault" involving his brother following a funeral in Northern Ireland. The incident occurred at a house in Newtownards, near Belfast, and has prompted a police investigation, with Donaghy's older brother, Joseph, already charged with causing grievous bodily harm before the death occurred.

The alleged assault took place on 7 September at an address in Stratheden Heights, Newtownards, after the brothers had returned from a funeral; Paddy Donaghy died in hospital on 14 September. Joseph Donaghy appeared at Newtownards Magistrates' Court, where his defence described it as a "one-punch case" and said he was "grief-stricken"; the case was adjourned to 23 September. Paddy Donaghy rode as a Flat jockey between 2005 and 2014, recording 63 winners for trainers including Pat Haslam and Jedd O'Keeffe, with his best season in 2008 yielding 18 wins and £87,810 in prize money; he also competed in Bahrain and is survived by his parents, siblings and a son.