Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes to learn fate over suspended prison sentence in New Year

Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes will have to wait until the New Year to see if he faces jail.

The five-time All Star Limerick hurler was before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court this Monday to learn if a suspended prison sentence would be “triggered” by a dangerous driving conviction in Mallow District Court.

Brian McInerney SC, who represented Mr Hayes, said: “The position, I am informed, is the appeal is listed for December 19, which is a Cork matter.”

Judge Colin Daly said the matter will have to go back to next term. A date of February 10, 2025 in Limerick Criminal Circuit Court has been fixed. Mr Hayes was in court for the brief procedural matter.

Last March, Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed an 18 month prison sentence on Mr Hayes for the 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. The offences occurred on October 28, 2019.

A jury had previously found Mr Hayes, aged 26, of Ballyoshea, Kildimo 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.

Subsequently, Mr Hayes was convicted of dangerous driving at Mallow District Court this September. He had pleaded not guilty.

Judge Colm Roberts banned Mr Hayes from driving for two years and fined him €250. The court heard the five-time All-Ireland winner was driving a vehicle which overtook nine cars at 155kms in a 100km zone on the N20 near Mallow on July 14, 2024.

The dangerous driving conviction was appealed and is due to be heard in Cork Circuit Court on December 19.