TWO brothers pleaded guilty to assaulting a man and being armed with a hurley and wrenches during the attack.
Daragh Hayes and Cian Hayes, both with addresses at Ballyashea, Kildimo, County Limerick, admitted the offences before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
A barrister for Daragh Hayes made an application for a psychological report and a probation report in respect of Mr Hayes citing “a complex family background”.
The victim, identified as Ciaran Ryan, was present in court this Wednesday morning (October 23), Lily Buckley, prosecuting counsel, told the court.
Daragh Hayes (37) and Cian Hayes (33) both stood in the dock before Judge Colin Daly and spoke only to confirm their guilty pleas.
The pair are siblings of the five-time All-Ireland winning star Limerick hurler, Kyle Hayes.
Daragh Hayes, admitted one count of assault causing harm to Mr Ryan at Ballyashea, Kildimo, on September 29, 2021.
Daragh Hayes also pleaded guilty to one count of producing a hurley during the assault on Mr Ryan, as well as to one count of producing a wrench during the assault.
Cian Hayes pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to Mr Ryan at the same location on the same date.
Cian Hayes also admitted one count of producing a wrench during the course of the assault on Mr Ryan.
Brian McInerney, senior defence counsel for Daragh Hayes, applied to the court for a pre-sentencing psychological report and a probation report in respect of Daragh Hayes.
“There is a somewhat complex family dynamic, which a psychological report would be exceptionally beneficial to put before the court,” Mr McInerney said.
Lorcan Connolly, senior defence counsel for Cian Hayes, said his client had “no previous convictions, is married with a young family, and has a lengthy work record as an engineer with a multinational company”.
Mr Connolly said he was seeking a pre-sentencing probation report only in respect of Cian Hayes.
Judge Daly said he would consider the necessity of the pre-sentencing psychological and probation reports this Friday (October 25).
The two accused Hayes brothers, who were accompanied by their parents in court, were remanded on containing bail to appear for sentence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Friday.
Their brother, five-time All-Ireland winning Limerick hurler, Kyle Hayes, is currently before the courts appealing a conviction for dangerous driving in which he received a two-year driving ban and a €250 fine.
Kyle Hayes was convicted of the road traffic offence at Mallow District Court last September after he was caught driving at 155km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N20.
The court heard that Gardaí clocked Kyle Hayes driving at 155km/h as he overtook nine cars on a stretch of dual carriageway that was narrowing from two lanes to one lane.
The outcome of that appeal, which has yet to be heard before Cork Circuit Criminal Court, will determine whether or not Kyle Hayes will be brought before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for activation of a two-year suspended jail sentence which he received last March after he was convicted of two counts of violent disorder.
The four-time All-Star hurler, who is nominated for Hurler of the Year, was convicted of both counts of violent disorder by a jury following his trial last December.
Kyle Hayes was acquitted by the trial jury of one count assault causing harm to Limerick carpenter Cillian McCarthy at the nightclub.
