Hayes brothers' victim drove car with broken leg, fractured ribs, punctured lung and broken fingers after beating

BLOODSTAINS on a cushion matched the DNA of the man assaulted by the Hayes brothers, who wrongly believed the victim was involved with Daragh Hayes' ex-partner and mother of his two children.

Limerick Criminal Circuit Court heard the two accused later told gardai that the victim (Ciaran Ryan) had not entered Daragh Hayes' house that night.

The sentencing hearing of Daragh Hayes, aged 37, and Cian Hayes, 34, both of Ballyashea, Kildimo who beat Ciaran Ryan with a hurley and wrench continued this Thursday afternoon.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, continued to outline the evidence with the assistance of Detective Sergeant Michael Reidy.

READ MORE: BREAKING: ‘Don’t mind him, he can breathe’ - hurley broken in assault by Hayes brothers on close friend

Ms Buckley said Mr Ryan's car key was so badly bent and damaged during the assault that Daragh had to straighten it with tools.

“Daragh started the car for him and put it into gear,” said Ms Buckley. Det Sgt Reidy said Mr Ryan had to be helped from Daragh Hayes' house to the car by the Hayes brothers due to the extent of his injuries.

Mr Ryan called his girlfriend to meet him at a spot they both knew. He drove his car there with a broken leg, fractured ribs, punctured lung and broken fingers. Mr Ryan’s girlfriend then drove him to UHL.

Det Sgt Reidy said cushions taken from the couch where Mr Ryan was attacked had bloodstaining that matched the victim’s DNA.

During interviews with gardai both Daragh and Cian Hayes denied Mr Ryan had entered the house that night.

Daragh Hayes told gardai Mr Ryan came to the house but didn’t come in as he saw that Mr Ryan had alcohol and he was putting children to bed. The court later heard there were no children in the house.

Daragh Hayes told gardai that Mr Ryan left with no injuries and he “wasn’t telling lies”.

Asked to explain the bloodstaining on the cushions, Daragh Hayes said Mr Ryan had broken a TV at a party some time previously. Det Sgt Reidy said Mr Ryan had cracked the screen but there was no bleeding and had paid for a replacement.

Cian Hayes told gardai he didn’t beat Mr Ryan up.

Cian Hayes said: "We used to be friends but are no longer friends. He is going down a different path". Ms Buckley said Cian Hayes' suggestion was that Mr Ryan may have been drinking.

Ms Buckley put it to Det Sgt Reidy that this was an attempt to falsely discredit Mr Ryan. Det Sgt Reidy agreed.

Cian Hayes told gardai that he wouldn’t like to see anybody in hospital but wasn’t surprised that Mr Ryan was hospitalised.

Det Sgt Reidy said the Hayes brothers had a “fixation” about a relationship between Mr Ryan and Daragh Hayes ex-partner when there was no evidence.

Brian McInerney SC, appearing with Amy Nix BL, represented Daragh Hayes. Mr McInerney said he has been instructed by his client to abjectly and unreservedly apologise for what he has visited upon Mr Ryan.

“He accepts full responsibility for his wrongdoing,” said Mr McInerney.

When sentencing Daragh Hayes, counsel asked Judge Colin Daly to take into account his plea of guilty, the fact he lives a pro social life and is a hard worker, is the father of a nine-month-old baby with his new partner and is the father of two children aged nine and five, restitution has been made in the civil courts, and his previous good character.

“He is deeply remorseful and wishes to put the matter in the past,” said Mr McInerney, who handed up a number of testimonials.

Lorcan Connolly SC, appearing with Kenneth Kerins BL, represented Daragh Hayes. Mr Connolly, on behalf of his client, unconditionally apologised to his longtime friend.

“His actions were shocking and outrageous. Ciaran Ryan didn’t serve this. Nobody deserved this. He is a first-time offender in the deep end of the pool,” said Mr Connolly, who also handed up a number of testimonials.

Counsel spoke of Cian Hayes’ work ethic as an engineer and his sporting achievements as the captain of the Junior B Limerick county champions.

Mr Connolly asked the judge to take into account the guilty plea, apology, Cian Hayes being a married man with a young child, his work ethic and previous good record.

Judge Colin Daly said he wishes to consider sentencing and adjourned the matter to January 30, 2025 for judgement.