Warring brothers told parents ‘would be turning in their graves’
At Kilrush District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan told Daniel Hayes, 60, and Michael Hayes, 64, both of Carnanes, Kilrush that “whatever graveyard they are in, your parents would be turning in their graves if they realised the two of ye were in here today involved in this kind of behaviour”.
Judge Durcan told the Hayes brothers that “one of ye is as bad as the next” after hearing from Garda Niall Donegan who said that there is “ongoing friction between the two brothers”.
Daniel Hayes lives by himself on lands adjacent to the farm owned by his brother Michael, who is married with a family.
Daniel was before the court accused of assaulting his brother at Carnanes, Kilrush on October 14, 2014, and of the criminal damage of the windscreen of Michael’s tractor.
Michael was before the court accused of the criminal damage of the rear window of Daniel’s Land Rover.
The Hayes brothers both deny the charges against them.
However, Judge Durcan intervened in the case after Garda Donegan gave evidence relating to the October 14 incident.
Beckoning the two to stand before him, Judge Durcan said: “Come up here, Daniel Hayes and Michael Hayes. I haven’t heard what you have to say and I don’t want to hear what you have to say. I am adjourning this for six months and liberty for Inspector John Ryan to re-enter the matter and if there is any undue difficulty involving either of ye, ye will both be bound to the peace.
“This is not a case that should be wasting and taking up the time of the court.
“I am warning you both, if there is any cause for the gardaí to be called because of these people I want the gardaí to re-enter the case. This is not a matter that should be fought out in court like this.”
In evidence, Garda Donegan said he had been called to the home of Daniel, who told him the back glass window on the door of his jeep had been smashed by his brother throwing a stone. When he went to Michael’s home, he was told that Daniel had thrown a stone at him.
“Michael Hayes told me that Daniel Hayes came out of his front door and he started shouting and roaring, picked up a stone and threw the stone at Michael,” said Garda Donegan.
“The stone hit him on the back of head and ricocheted and cracked the windscreen. I noted that Michael Hayes had a bruise at the top of his neck and the front of the windscreen was marked.”
Garda Donegan said Michael told him he threw a stone at Daniel “in a fit of rage”.
Judge Durcan adjourned the case to April 19.
