Main witness was ‘blinded by anger’

A Wexford businessman on trial for allegedly forging the will of a bachelor farmer said the prosecution’s witness was ‘blinded with anger’ against his own brother who is accused of forging the same will.

The accused, Noel Hayes, from Ramsgrange, Co Wexford said the witness Charles O’Leary’s “anger and vengeance against co-accused, William O’Leary, blinded every part of his life”.

Noel Hayes, aged 61, and William O’Leary, aged 51, 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.