FIVE-TIME All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes appeared in court this Tuesday (July 23) charged with dangerous driving.
Mr Hayes, of Ballyashea, Kildimo, County Limerick, was arrested in County Cork last Sunday week (July 14), a day prior to his 26th birthday.
He was detained by Gardaí on suspicion of committing an offence under the Road Traffic Act.
The four-time All-Star hurler, who was part of the Limerick senior hurling team defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland hurling semi-final three weeks ago, was pulled over by Gardaí on patrol near Mallow on July 14.
Mr Hayes, who works as a full-time human resources officer with an engineering firm, was arrested at the scene and brought to Mallow Garda Station where he was charged and released on station bail.
Hayes appeared before Judge Colm Roberts at Mallow District Court on Tuesday on a single charge of dangerous driving, which carries a penalty of a fine, a maximum six months in jail, or both, on summary conviction, contrary to Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
Evidence of Mr Hayes’s arrest, charge, and caution was presented by certificate and no details of the case were heard in court.
Mr Hayes’s barrister Liam Carroll BL, instructed by Sarah Ryan solicitors of Limerick, told Judge Roberts that Mr Hayes was willing to plead to a lesser charge of careless driving.
Judge Robert’s said he wanted to hear the evidence first before deciding if he was prepared to accept a plea to the lesser charge.
Prosecuting Sergeant Linda O’Leary said Gardaí were awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The prosecuting Garda was not available to attend court today, so the matter was adjourned.
Judge Roberts remanded Mr Hayes on continuing bail to appear before Mallow District Court on September 10 for a plea or a date, and to hear directions from the DPP.
