All-Star Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes to find out if he's going to prison or not today

All-Star Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes is expected to find out later this Wednesday if he will be sent to jail or not.

The 2024 Hurler of the Year nominee is due to appear before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court to learn if a suspended prison sentence is “triggered” by a dangerous driving conviction in Mallow District Court.

The case had previously been adjourned on December 9 and February 11 last but it couldn’t go ahead as Mr Hayes' dangerous driving conviction was appealed to Cork Circuit Court.

Mr Hayes, aged 26, of Ballyashea, Kildimo failed to have the conviction overturned in Cork last week. 

The five-time All-Ireland winner said in direct evidence that nothing untoward happened when he pulled into the left hand lane having overtaken a few cars.

He conceded that his driving was careless but denied that it was dangerous. Mr Hayes accepted that he was speeding when he was stopped by Garda Deirdre Barrett.

The court  heard that Mr Hayes drove at a speed of 155km/h and overtook nine vehicles near Mallow in what Cork South State solicitor Jerry Healy described as an “utterly unacceptable” manoeuvre.

Judge Boyle Helen, in deciding not to overturn the conviction, said that the speed at which Mr Hayes was travelling was “excessive.” Mr Hayes disqualified for driving for two years and will be off the road from midnight on June 12.

In March 2024, Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed an 18-month prison sentence on Mr Hayes for engaging in violent disorder in the Icon nightclub and a concurrent two-year jail sentence for the violent disorder on Upper Denmark Street, Limerick city. 

"They are both suspended in full," said Judge Sheehan at the time. The offences occurred on October 28, 2019 when Mr Hayes was 21.

A jury had previously found Mr Hayes not guilty of assault causing harm on the same date at a trial in Limerick Criminal Circuit Court in December 2023.

The terms of imprisonment were suspended on condition that he be bound to the peace and be of good behaviour during that two-year term.

The matter is now back before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court and Judge Colin Daly will have to decide if he will activate Mr Hayes’ suspended sentence over the dangerous driving conviction.

Brian McInerney SC, appearing with Liam Carroll BL, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan will represent Mr Hayes in court later this Wednesday.

The State will be represented by John O'Sullivan BL, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe.

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