Five-time All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler faces sentencing this Friday

Five-time All-Ireland winning hurler Kyle Hayes is due to be sentenced by Judge Dermot Sheehan this Friday at Limerick Circuit Court.

The All-Star hurler was found guilty of two violent disorder charges but not guilty of assault causing harm by a jury of seven men and five women on December 1, 2023.

On the ninth day of the trial at Limerick Circuit Court, Mr Hayes, aged 25, of Ballyoshea, Kildimo was found guilty of engaging in violent disorder in the Icon nightclub in Limerick city centre and of engaging in violent disorder at Upper Denmark Street on October 28, 2019.

The jury found Mr Hayes not guilty of assault causing harm to Cillian McCarthy, aged 24, at Upper Denmark Street, Limerick city on the same date. All the verdicts were unanimous.

Mr Hayes was represented by Brian McInerney SC, appearing with Joseph McMahon BL, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan. The case was prosecuted by John O'Sullivan BL, instructed by State Solicitor Padraig Mawe

After the jury gave their verdicts, Judge Dermot Sheehan said the violent disorder charges are serious matters.

"He was involved in a chaotic scene in Upper Denmark Street and engaging in violent disorder in a crowded place (Icon nightclub) is aggravating. It is an extremely dangerous thing to do. Matters of this nature are not nomally dealt with in a non-custodial sentence," said Judge Sheehan.

Mr McInerney, barrister for Mr Hayes, asked for a sentencing date in the future.

"He has been on bail for the last four years. There has never been a breach of bail. He has been outside the jurisdiction. He is not a flight risk. He is deeply rooted in the community. He has a sporting involvement at a very high level, that may well now be at the end," said Mr McInerney, who added that he would like time to collate testimonials from witnesses that may wish to give them.

Judge Sheehan said the fact he was granting bail is not an indication of how he is going to dispose of the matter. 

The case of the DPP v Kyle Hayes is listed for sentence at 10.30am this Friday, January 19 before his honour Judge Dermot Sheehan at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.