Limerick GAA deny Kyle Hayes missed Tipperary clash because of court-ordered curfew

Hayes was a noticeable absence from the Limerick panel for the clash that kicked off at 7.35pm in Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night of last week.

On Wednesday, Hayes is to be sentenced for two counts of violent disorder arising from an incident in a nightclub fours years ago.

Following the All-Ireland-winning hurler’s conviction last December, he was allowed to remain free on continuing bail subject to several conditions, including that he obey a 10.30pm to 6am curfew.

Last weekend’s match – which Limerick won 0-26 to Tipperary’s 3-16, finished at 9pm.

According to Google Maps, the return journey from Pairc Uí Chaoimh to Hayes’ home address in Ballyashea, Kildimo would, at mid-afternoon on Friday, have taken between 1 hour and 46 minutes and 1 hour and 54 minutes depending on the route taken.

This journey time did not account for match-night traffic around Pairc Uí Chaoimh, while there would have been a further delay with players warming down, showering and changing after the match.

Asked this week whether the curfew was the reason Hayes was not included in the panel – after he had been included in the Limerick panel that played Dublin in February, a spokesperson for Limerick GAA said this week: “Kyle has an ankle injury and that was the reason he missed the Tipperary game.

“John Kiely told the media at the press meeting after the game when he was asked the question.”

Hayes was also absent from yesterday’s league clash with Galway in Pearse Stadium.

Hayes (25), of Ballyashea, Kildimo, Co. Limerick, last appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on January 19 about his conviction.

At that time Limerick Senior Hurling manager Mr Kiely urged Judge Dermot Sheehan to give Hayes “a second chance” and spare him a custodial sentence.

Hayes,had pleaded not guilty to one count of assault causing harm to carpenter Cillian McCarthy (24) outside Icon Nightclub on October 28, 2019.

He was also charged with two counts of violent disorder, inside and outside the nightclub on the same night.

Following a two-week trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court last December, a jury found Hayes not guilty of assault but guilty of the two counts of violent disorder.

Hayes told gardaí he could not recall “aggressively” approaching Mr McCarthy in Smyths Bar, which is attached to Icon Nightclub, on the night in question, telling him to “stay the f**k away” from two young women he was chatting to in the bar, as was alleged by the State.​

Mr McCarthy said Hayes and others approached him later and rained punches on his head and face while his hands were held behind his head so he could not defend himself.

Hayes also denied allegations by Mr McCarthy that he “kicked, stamped and punched” him while he lay on the ground after a mob, including Hayes, chased him outside of the club.

Two gardaí gave evidence that they saw Hayes kicking a man on the ground outside the nightclub. The officers detained Hayes, but he broke free and ran. Gardaí eventually caught him a few streets away.

At January’s adjourned sentencing hearing, Mr McCarthy said he still suffers persistent and severe headaches and blurred vision and underwent surgery due to a facial fracture.​

​Hayes was remanded on bail for sentencing on Wednesday next.