Judge adjourns decision on All-Ireland winning hurler Kyle Hayes' suspended sentence

Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes will learn on Friday if he will be sent to jail or not.

The 2024 Hurler of the Year nominee appeared before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court this Wednesday to learn if a suspended prison sentence for violent disorder is “triggered” by a dangerous driving conviction in Mallow District Court.

State solicitor for Limerick, Padraig Mawe gave a summary of the evidence of the dangerous driving conviction near Mallow when Mr 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 and adjacent to it following a trial when Mr Hayes was 21.

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. 

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

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Brian McInerney SC, appearing with Liam Carroll BL, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan, represented Mr Hayes during this Wednesday's hearing.

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

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

Judge Dara Hayes, presiding, said he wished to consider matters and adjourned the case to Friday morning when he will give his decision.