WATCH: Kyle Hayes leaves court after sentencing hearing

LIMERICK hurler Kyle Hayes and the victim Cillian McCarthy both left Limerick Courthouse on Mulgrave Street shortly after the case concluded this Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Hayes was waiting inside the courthouse on his phone when a car pulled up behind the media scrum on the street. Mr Hayes did not speak to reporters as he made his way through the assembled group of journalists, photographers and cameramen and got in the awaiting car.

Mr McCarthy was asked if he wanted to say anything following the conclusion of the case and he said "no".

Judge Sheehan imposed an 18 month prison sentence 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.

There was no reaction from Mr Hayes in court when judgement was read out.

READ MORE: BREAKING: Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes spared jail for violent disorder offences

Judge Sheehan made a compensation order that Mr Hayes pay Mr McCarthy a sum of €10,000 for "his personal injury and loss". €5,000 must be paid by April 20 and the second installment on or before September 30.

Judge Sheehan said he was “impressed” by Mr McCarthy’s victim impact statement. The carpenter required surgery for a right orbital floor fracture.

Judge Sheehan said Mr McCarthy was an innocent young man who was not suitably submissive to Mr Hayes’ demand he stay away from two young women he was talking to on the night. Judge Sheehan described it as a “manic response" from Mr Hayes "to a perceived slight of a friend of his”.

He said Mr Hayes took on “the role of instigator and central figure in the Icon nightclub and was described as the main culprit outside, quite rightly in my view”.

Judge Sheehan said Mr Hayes bore “substantial culpability” for the two violent disorders.

In mitigation, the judge spoke of the testimonials from Mr Hayes’ employer, Limerick hurling manager, John Kiely, horse trainer Jim Bolger and from a representative of Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick where he had studied.

Judge Sheehan said Mr Hayes was 21 at the time, has no previous convictions, has shown leadership, done charity work and is a successful sportsperson.

“I believe he is remorseful,” said Judge Sheehan.

Judge Sheehan said an immediate custodial sentence is not "appropriate" and society will not benefit from Mr Hayes going to prison.

Mr Hayes was released on his own bond of €250 and must keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years.

Mr Hayes, aged 25, of Ballyoshea, Kildimo was found guilty at a trial last December of engaging in violent disorder in the Icon nightclub and of engaging in violent disorder at Upper Denmark Street. They both occurred on October 28, 2019.

The jury found Mr Hayes not guilty of assault causing harm to Mr McCarthy, aged 24, at Upper Denmark Street, Limerick city on the same date. All of 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, with the assistance of Detective Garda Barry Moylan.