Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes in court in relation to his suspended prison sentence

LIMERICK hurler Kyle Hayes will now have to wait until March to find out if he will face jail.

The 2024 Hurler of the Year nominee was before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court this Monday morning to learn if a suspended prison sentence would be “triggered” by a dangerous driving conviction in Mallow District Court.

Mr Hayes appeared to be limping after he came off injured in the first half of the Limerick v Tipperary league clash in the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

The case had previously been adjourned on December 9 last. 

When the case was called, Brian McInerney SC, said he was appearing for Mr Hayes, with Liam Carroll BL, instructed by Sarah Ryan, solicitor.

“This is a Section 99 which was triggered by a road conviction in Cork. That conviction is under appeal to the circuit court (in Cork). It was in a list just before Christmas but wasn’t reached. 

“It has been adjourned for hearing to the week of March 11. There are a number of days allocated for district court appeals,” said Mr McInerney, who added that Mr Hayes, of Ballyashea, Kildimo was present in court like he has been on every other occasion.

Judge Michael P Walsh said the case “has to go back” and Mr McInerney agreed.

The case was adjourned to March 19 in Limerick Criminal Circuit Court with liberty to apply.

The State was represented by Padraig Mawe, State solicitor, during the short procedural matter this Monday.

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. 

"They are both suspended in full," said Judge Sheehan at the time. The offences occurred on October 28, 2019.

A jury had previously found Mr Hayes 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 last 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. It was due to be heard in Cork Circuit Court on December 19 but now the appeal is to be heard in mid-March.

If Mr Hayes wins that appeal in Cork there will be no "triggering offence". If he loses that appeal then the matter will be back before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court on March 19 and the judge will have to decide on that date if he will activate the suspended sentence.