Man gives evidence against his brother

A Wexford businessman who has admitted forging the will of a bachelor farmer has given evidence against his brother and a friend who deny forging the same will.

William O’Leary, aged 51, of Ramsgrange, Co Wexford, and Noel Hayes, aged 61, a vegetable wholesaler, from New Ross, Co Wexford, have pleaded not guilty to forging the will of Matthew Hayes on a date between December 1998 and January 1999.

On the opening day of the trial, Mr O’Leary’s brother, Charles, told Philip Sheehan BL, prosecuting, he had previously pleaded guilty to taking part in the alleged forgery.

Noel Hayes had taken ownership of just under €592,000 worth of assets including 162 acres of farmland from Matthew Hayes after being named in a will witnessed by Charles and William O’Leary.

Charles O’Leary’s testified that the will was not signed until a week after Matthew Hayes had died.

The trial continues.