Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes deemed suitable for community service on dangerous driving charge

Hayes had breached terms of a two-year suspended sentence for violent disorder by being convicted of dangerous driving near Mallow, Co Cork

Kyle Hayes leaving court in Limerick on Monday. Picture: James Treacy

All-Star Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes has been deemed suitable for 180 hours of community service, in lieu of three months in jail after he breached the terms of a two-year suspended sentence for violent disorder, a court has heard.

Hayes, 26, of Ballyahsea, Kildimo, Co Limerick, appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Monday.

The hearing was triggered after Hayes engaged in dangerous driving near Mallow, Co Cork, four months into a two-year suspended sentence that was imposed on him in March 2024, after a jury convicted him of committing violent disorder at the Icon nightclub in Limerick, on October 28, 2019.

On July 14, 2024, Hayes was recorded by a garda overtaking nine cars in a row on a stretch of the N20 Cork-Limerick dual carriageway, while driving 55km/h above the 100km/h speed limit. Hayes subsequently lost an appeal against the driving conviction on March 12 last, for which he was given a two-year driving ban and fined €250.

On Monday, Hayes’ barrister, senior counsel, Brian McInerney, told Judge Colin Daly Hayes had fully engaged with the Probation Service after the court had requested the service report on his suitability for community service in lieu of the court, activating three months of the hurler’s two-year suspended sentence for violent disorder.

Mr McInerney said the service had deemed Hayes suitable for work in the community, but he did not disclose what type of work the hurler would take on.

Judge Daly adjourned the matter to May 19 for the community service order to be finalised by Judge Dara Hayes, who had heard the matter previously.