Evidence concludes in Kyle Hayes assault trial

Evidence has concluded in the case at Limerick Circuit Court in which Limerick All Star hurler Kyle Hayes is on trial accused of assaulting another man by punching him and stamping on his head outside a nightclub in Limerick on the October bank holiday weekend in 2019.

25-year-old Kyle Hayes from Kildimo, Co Limerick denies a charge of assaulting Cillian McCarthy causing him harm in the early hours of 28 October 2019.

He also denies two charges of violent disorder inside the Icon night club and on the street outside the club on the same date.

Another man, 24-year-old Craig Cosgrave from Grange in Co Limerick, also denies a charge of violent disorder at the nightclub that night.

Transcripts of three interviews conducted by gardaí with Mr Hayes while he was arrested and in garda custody on 7 January 2020 were read to the jury.

In the course of one interview he said that what Mr McCarthy alleges in his garda statement "did not happen".

He also denied that he was part of a group which attacked Mr McCarthy, nor could he explain how Mr McCarthy sustained an injury to his eye.

Mr Hayes also said he ran away from gardaí on the night of the alleged assault because they started roaring at him, and they had picked him out because they know his face.

He also admitted in another interview that it was not easy dealing with his status since 2018.

He said when he wanted to go somewhere quiet to have dinner, someone comes up to him to talk to him or wants to get a photograph with him.

Closing arguments will be put to jury by both the prosecution and defence when the case resumes tomorrow before the Judge gives his charge, after which the seven men and six women will retire to consider their verdict in the case.