All-Star hurler Kyle Hayes to carry out community service instead of prison, confirms judge
Limerick hurler was back in court this Monday - less than 24 hours after his Man-of-the-Match performance against Cork in the Munster championship
A judge has confirmed a court order requiring All-Star hurler Kyle Hayes to carry out community service instead of a prison sentence.
In March, Judge Dara Hayes ordered the five-time All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler to carry out 180 hours of community service in lieu of three-months in prison after a dangerous driving conviction “triggered” a suspended sentence which was imposed for a separate violent disorder offence.
The Limerick Leader reports that Judge Hayes said the dangerous driving offence in July 2024 was not a repeat of the violent public disorder in 2019 for which Kyle Hayes, aged 26, of Ballyashea, Kildimo, County Limerick received concurrent suspended prison sentences of 18-months and two-years in 2023.
"The triggering offence (dangerous driving) while serious is not related to the nature or the severity of the offending of the original offences (violent disorders).
"They were committed over five years ago, there is nothing before the court to suggest that the respondent has engaged in any such behaviour since," said Judge Dara Hayes, who ordered Kyle Hayes to carry out 180 hours of community service in lieu of three months of a suspended jail sentence being activated.
The matter was adjourned in March until last month to allow for Kyle Hayes to engage with the Probation Service so they could determine his suitability to carry out community service.
Last month, Kyle Hayes' barrister Brian McInerney SC, appearing with Liam Carroll BL, said that there had been full co-operation by his client.
"He has been deemed suitable (by the Probation Service), work has been identified and all arrangements necessary are all in place," said Mr McInerney.
This Monday afternoon, Judge Dara Hayes confirmed the court order of 180 hours community service in lieu of three months in prison.
Judge Dara Hayes told Kyle Hayes, who was sitting in the dock, that if he didn't complete the 180 hours that he would be brought back before the court.
"Yes, judge," said Kyle Hayes.