Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes in court 24 hours after being named man of the match
Kyle Hayes was back in court Monday, less than 24 hours after he was named man of the match in Limerick's crushing 16-point defeat of Cork in the fourth round of the Munster senior hurling championship, Sunday.
Sitting in the dock at Courtroom 4, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, Hayes waited silently for confirmation he would serve 180 hours of community service in lieu of three months in jail, as previously indicated by judge Dara Hayes, no relation to the GAA ace.
After confirming the order, however, the judge warned Hayes he would be going to prison if he committed further criminal offences. Last April, the judge indicated he would impose the community service order in lieu of Hayes serving three months of an 18-month suspended jail sentence previously imposed on him.
The suspended jail term was imposed on the Limerick centre-back after a jury convicted him on two counts of committing violent disorder, inside and outside, the Icon nightclub, Limerick, in 2019 - charges he denied at a trial in 2023.
Today the judge reminded Hayes that all of the relevant legal 'obligations and requirements' on the hurler had been 'explained' to him. The judge warned that 'non-compliance' with the order would see the All-Star hurler going to jail.
Addressing Hayes, the judge said: 'If there is non-compliance you will be brought back before the court and the (three month) sentence will be imposed.'
Hayes looked at the judge and replied: 'Yes, judge.' The judge said he would make 'no order' on the hurler's second conviction for violent disorder, in respect of the same night at the nightclub in 2019.
The terms of the judgement order, specifically, where and when Hayes will be starting his community service, were not dislocated in court. Judge Hayes said the hurler must complete the community service order within 12 months from today.
Hayes, who was named Man of the Match last Sunday, following Limerick's sterling defeat of Munster rivals Cork, in the fourth round of the Munster senior hurling championship, held at the Gaelic Grounds, arrived in court before 10.30am this morning and waited until his case was called after lunch.
Hayes's barrister, senior counsel Brian McInerney, confirmed to the court that the probation service had deemed the hurler suitable for community service in lieu of the jail sentence. 'A suitable service has been selected and all other matters have been satisfied,' Mr McInerney told the court.
Hayes, (26), of Ballyahsea, Kildimo, Co Limerick, appeared as part of long-standing 'Section 99 Re-entry' proceedings.
The hearing was initially triggered after Hayes engaged in dangerous driving at Mallow, Co Cork, four months after the violent disorder concurrent suspended sentences of 18 months and two years were imposed on him in March 2024.
On July 14th, 2024, Hayes was recorded by a Garda overtaking nine cars in a row on a stretch of the N20 Cork- Limerick dual carriageway, whilst driving 55kph above the 100kph speed limit.
Hayes subsequently lost an appeal against the driving conviction on March 12th 2025, for which he was given a two-year driving ban and fined €250.
Previously summarising the events from the Icon nightclub, Judge Hayes said the Limerick hurler was one of two men who 'aggressively approached' self-employed carpenter, Cillian McCarthy, and that Hayes was one of a group of four males who later on 'attacked' Mr McCarthy inside the nightclub.
The judge said two gardaí gave evidence at Hayes's trial that they saw the hurler kicking a man lying on the street outside the nightclub, on the night, but the judge said there was no evidence before the court that the man on the ground was Cillian McCarthy.
The judge said the trial jury acquitted Hayes of a third charge, assault causing harm to Mr McCarthy. He said Kyle Hayes had paid €10,000 in damages to Mr McCarthy as part of the terms of the suspended sentences imposed on him.
Judge Hayes said sworn testimony by Kyle Hayes's father, Liam Hayes, who told the court that he depended on Kyle to help him run their family farm after he underwent heart surgery, had not assisted nor swayed him in its final judgement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man shares brother's final words before car crashed into them on St Patricks Day
A man who saw his elderly brother die last St Patrick' Day when a car crashed into them has revealed the last words that they ever shared. The tragedy at Letterkenny in Donegal killed school lollipop man Anthony Gallagher and forced the cancellation of the town's annual parade. Witness accounts claimed that a car collided with Anthony and his brother Martin, both in their 60s, when it crashed into a building only metres from their home. Loving brother Martin, who was critically injured and is still recovering from his injuries, watched his brother's funeral online from his hospital bed. He has now revealed he still has nightmares nearly three months after that awful night as they walked home. Martin returned two weeks ago from Galway University Hospital to Letterkenny – but he has not visited Anthony's grave or the house they shared. The heartbroken brother said: 'The last words I heard him say to me were, 'I don't think I'll go out on Paddy's night'. I said, 'You'll go out for one or two'. Those were the very words I said. The next thing, I felt a massive bang on my two legs.' He added: 'I said to one of the guards, 'My legs are broken and my back is crushed'. She said, 'I know'. I turned around to Anthony. He was leaning over the car. I said, 'Anthony, my legs are broke'. I got no response from him. I started panicking. I said to the guard, 'Are you going to get me out?' She said she had to wait for the fire brigade to come and pull the car out. They took me out first and they said, 'Cut the trousers off this man and get him up to [Letterkenny University] hospital as quickly as you can'.' Martin was taken to a room to see his brother and said: 'I went in and I said to the nurse, 'He's snoring'. She said, 'Unfortunately, that is the life support machine he is on'. She said, 'Your brother Anthony died'. I was holding his hand and the doctors told me I had to go to [hospital in] Galway right away to get surgery. That is the last I saw of my brother Anthony.' Martin was airlifted to Galway University Hospital and underwent extensive reconstructive surgery, including the insertion of plates and pins. He said: 'I had to lie in bed for six-and-a-half weeks. I wasn't allowed to move. I had to watch my brother's funeral from my hospital bed. There was a priest with me and one of the nurses, but it was very hard.' He added: 'It was very hard, learning to walk again, but I just pushed through it. The doctors in Galway were very happy with my legs. That is why they let me go back to Letterkenny.' Of returning to the house that he shared with Anthony, he said: 'It is going to be hard to open the front door. He would have normally been sitting at the table or sitting over on the chair. I am still having nightmares; I can still see the scene of the accident.' A male in his teens was released without charge in March and Garda investigations are ongoing.
Sunday World
13 hours ago
- Sunday World
Teen bailed for allegedly torturing woman was part of violent Dublin home invasion gang
Four suspects last night remained in garda custody following the aggravated burglary in Shankill on Wednesday night A teenager on bail for allegedly taking part in the torture of a woman was part of a gang arrested over a violent home invasion in Dublin. Four suspects last night remained in garda custody following the aggravated burglary in Shankill on Wednesday night. A couple, aged in their 60s, were held at gunpoint and assaulted by the gang before they fled the scene. They were intercepted by local gardaí as they attempted to escape and were all arrested for firearms offences after a semi-automatic weapon was recovered. The Irish Independent has learned that one of the suspects in custody is currently on bail for his alleged role in the violent torture of a young woman in the city. During this incident the woman was badly beaten and threatened by a gang of up to seven men before being rescued by gardaí. The precise details of the incident cannot be outlined for legal reasons. The juvenile was later charged as part of the garda investigation and granted bail on strict conditions by the Children's Court. It's understood the four-man gang arrested on Wednesday night and reside in different parts of the inner-city. Some of them have previously been investigated for drug intimidation related violence. A source said: 'This was a great capture for gardaí following a particularly violent incident where these lads forced their way into a couple's home before beating them. 'The circumstances surrounding the motive behind this is continuing but the victims are innocent and it seems like it was a very much targeted incident'. Gardaí were alerted to reports of an aggravated burglary at a home in Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill, and a number of units were deployed. The home invasion is said to have taken place at approximately 7.30pm in the evening. During the course of the aggravated burglary, four individuals entered the couple's home and 'assaulted and threatened the couple with a firearm'. The four individuals left the scene in a vehicle and an electric bike. Gardaí responded to the incident and a search of the area took place, during which a semi-automatic firearm was recovered. Gardaí arrested three of the suspects when they stopped a car and a fourth male was arrested a short distance away who was on a electric bike. stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 12th The owner of the home, a man in his 60s, was removed from the scene to St. Vincent's University Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. All four men, two adults aged in their 60s and 20s, and two juveniles are currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at Garda stations in Dublin. They can be held for up to three days before they must either be charged or released from custody pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Investigations are said to be ongoing. The most recent garda figures show that aggravated burglary- which can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on conviction- dropped nationally by 29pc in the first three months of this year compared to 2024.
Irish Times
21 hours ago
- Irish Times
Jockey Michael O'Sullivan died of severe brain trauma, inquest hears
Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan died of a severe traumatic brain injury complicated by swelling with cerebral infarction due to a horse riding accident, his inquest has heard. Cork Coroner's Court heard brief evidence on Thursday from Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, as to the cause of death of the 24-year-old on February 16th last. Dr Bolster carried out a postmortem on Mr O'Sullivan at Cork City Mortuary the day after his death. Mr O'Sullivan of Currabower, Lombardstown, Co Cork died at Cork University Hospital after what his family had previously described as a 'Trojan battle' to recover from his injuries. READ MORE He was airlifted to hospital on February 6th following a serious last fence fall in Thurles, Co Tipperary. He was just days short of his 25th birthday when he died ten days later. Sergeant Aisling Murphy requested an adjournment of the inquest to facilitate 'preparatory work'. Cork City Coroner Philip Comyn said the inquest was being opened for the purpose of hearing medical evidence on the cause of death so that a death certificate could be issued to the family. Justin Walsh, an inspector from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), was present at the hearing and confirmed its investigation was yet to be completed. Solicitor Denis Linehan, who represents the O'Sullivan family, was also in attendance. A full hearing of the case will take place at a later date. Mr O'Sullivan is survived by his parents William and Bernie, his brother Alan, partner Charlotte, and grandmother Mary. He shot to public attention two years ago when he won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham aboard Marine Nationale before going on to win the Fred Winter with Jazzy Matty. Huge crowds attended his funeral at St John the Baptist Church in Glantane, Co Cork in February. His father William told mourners that Michael would want his loved ones to find joy in life in spite of his death. He said Michael had his heart set on becoming a jockey from an early age and noted that even though his son had managed to receive an honours degree in agricultural science from University College Dublin, they had it on 'good authority' he read the Racing Post during lectures. Mr O'Sullivan's brother Alan and cousins David O'Sullivan and Sonny McCartan recently took part in the Cork City Marathon to raise funds for Brú Columbanus, a charity that offers free accommodation to families of seriously ill patients in Cork hospitals. They decided to raise funds for a site in Wilton, Cork as it was a 'safe haven' for the O'Sullivan family when Michael was in intensive care. Over €94,000 has been raised for the charity arising out of the fundraising appeal.
