Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes convicted of dangerous driving

The court heard he overtook nine cars on the dual carriageway in his white Audi A6, which was detected travelling at 155km/h in a 100km/h zone.

He was returning to Limerick from west Cork, the court heard.

Judge Roberts said that speed is one of the main factors in road deaths and said: "I am trying to keep him alive as well as everything else. There are too many deaths on the road at this time."

He also described cars as being "killer machines on the road".

On convicting Hayes of dangerous driving, Judge Roberts gave him a mandatory two-year driving ban and fined him €250, with three months to pay.

The conviction is now a trigger for Hayes's previous conviction at Limerick Circuit Court on two counts of violent disorder after a young man was attacked inside and outside a nightclub, for which he was given a two year suspended sentence in March. That case will now return to Limerick Circuit Court.

Hayes's barrister Liam Carroll indicated that his client may appeal Tuesday's conviction.

Evidence was heard from Garda Deirdre Barrett that she started a checkpoint on the N20 at Lissavoura, Grenagh at 7pm on July 14.

At 7.55pm, she observed nine cars travelling at varying speeds between 80km and 95km per hour, and they were overtaken by Hayes. The court heard that the section of the road alternates between dual and single carriageways, in both directions. Garda Barrett outlined that the five-time All Ireland winner pulled into the left lane of the dual carriageway as it reduced to one lane, having just overtaken the nine cars.

He was arrested for dangerous driving.

She said that Hayes told her the speed limit for dangerous driving in Limerick was 160km per hour.

His barrister, Liam Carroll, said his client believed he was doing a safe manoeuvre and pushed for the case to be considered one of careless driving, as opposed to dangerous driving. He said he had found himself in a lane that “was coming to an end”.

However, Judge Roberts raised concerns that Hayes had been travelling at 55km per hour above the speed limit, had overtaken nine cars and “you were totally unaware of what speed you were driving.” He added: “Is that not a concern?” He continued: “He could have slowed down. He chose not to slow down. He chose to speed up.” Mr Carroll acknowledged that what had occurred was a “lapse of judgement” and “a mistake” but Judge Roberts said it was beyond that.

He added: “I cannot accept in any way that his actions were not dangerous.” 

Judge Roberts asked Hayes if he accepted that speed is one of the main factors causing deaths on Irish roads, and whether he accepted if his own car, an Audi A6, was a powerful car. Hayes agreed that it was.

Judge Roberts said: “Speed kills and the speed in this case was excessive.”

The judge said Hayes “might think he is chosen” but all that is required is for one thing to go wrong.