Kyle Hayes’ father gives evidence in case that has attracted 'most enormous degree of publicity'

KYLE Hayes’ father gave evidence in court this Wednesday morning that he relies on his son to assist in the running of his dairy farm.

The Limerick senior hurler will learn this Friday if a suspended jail sentence for violent disorder will be “triggered” by a dangerous driving conviction.

Limerick Criminal Circuit Court heard this Wednesday morning that the All Star hurler's case has "attracted the most enormous degree of publicity".

Liam Hayes, the father of the five-time All-Ireland-winning hurler, was called by the defence as a witness at this Wednesday's hearing.

Mr Hayes outlined the important role his son plays on the family dairy farm after he suffered from significant ill health in 2022. He confirmed that he had required major surgery and is not as “physically robust” as he once was.

“He (Kyle) is doing everything at the moment. He lives at home. He is there on a 24/7 basis. He starts with me in the morning at 5am and after his day job when he comes home if he is not training and during the night if there are cows calving,” said Liam Hayes.

Brian McInerney SC, appearing with Liam Carroll BL, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan, represented Mr Hayes, aged 26, of Ballyashea, Kildimo, Co Limerick.

Answering questions from Mr McInerney, Liam Hayes agreed that he runs an average-sized dairy farm and milks cows on a daily basis.

Letters were handed in to the judge from a Dr John English which said Liam Hayes had a coronary artery bypass graft and remains on life-long medication.

A second letter was handed in, from Edwin Murphy, a veterinary surgeon with Adare Veterinary Clinic.

Mr Murphy said after Liam Hayes’ adverse health event in July 2022 he was unable to work until the spring of 2023 and in his absence Kyle Hayes took over the running of the dairy farm.

Mr Murphy said Liam Hayes has lacked the physical strength and endurance he previously had in relation to calving cows, training first time milkers and being available at night to monitor cows calving.

Mr Murphy said in the letter that Kyle Hayes now does the more difficult work on the farm.

Mr McInerney would say later that Kyle Hayes has two brothers who reside locally but are unavailable at this time to render any assistance to Liam Hayes and won’t be able to for some time in the future.

State solicitor for Limerick, Padraig Mawe had earlier given a summary of the evidence of a dangerous driving conviction near Mallow when Kyle Hayes drove at 155kmph and overtook nine cars on July 14, 2024.

Mr Mawe also gave a summary of the evidence of the original offences in October, 2019 - violent disorder convictions in a nightclub in Limerick city and adjacent to it following a trial when Kyle Hayes was 21.

Mr Mawe said Kyle Hayes and others “engaged in violence” against the victim Cillian McCarthy, who was 20 at the time. 

The State solicitor said Mr McCarthy suffered a fracture to the right orbital floor (eye socket) and required surgery to repair the fracture. The court heard Mr McCarthy suffered from severe headaches, numbness below the eye and double vision.

Mr Mawe said gardai gave evidence that they saw Kyle Hayes kicking a male on the ground but it was not identified as Mr McCarthy.

Kyle Hayes (pictured below) was found not guilty of assault causing harm to Mr McCarthy.

In March 2024, Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed an 18-month prison sentence on Kyle 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. 

Mr Mawe said this Wednesday morning it is matter for Judge Dara Hayes, presiding, to revoke some or all or none of the suspended sentence.

Mr McInerney submitted that the interests of justice would not be met by invoking a jail sentence.

Counsel said the “triggering” offence of dangerous driving is “wholly different in character” to the violent disorder convictions.

Mr McInerney said Kyle Hayes has a “quasi-dependent parent”, is a single, unattached man who lives at home with his parents, has a responsible job and engages in sport.

Judge Hayes said he knows Kyle Hayes has won six or five All-Irelands but went on to say this has “no relevance”. Kyle Hayes, from the dock, clarified it was five.

READ MORE: BREAKING: Judge adjourns decision on Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes' suspended sentence

Mr McInerney said the triggering offence of dangerous driving is a million miles away from the original offences.

Mr McInerney said the original trial, district court, circuit court appeal and triggering matters attracted the most enormous degree of publicity.

Judge Hayes said there are cases that attract publicity and there are cases that do not attract publicity.

“The media are entitled to report,” said Judge Hayes.

Judge Hayes thanked Mr Mawe and Mr McInerney and said he wished to consider matters.

The judge adjourned the case to Friday morning at 10.30am in Limerick Criminal Circuit Court when he will give his decision.