Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes disqualified from driving for two years

Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes has been disqualified from driving for two years for dangerous driving on the N20 near Mallow in Co Cork in July.

Mallow District Court was told that the 26-year-old was caught driving at 155km/h in a 100km/h zone on 14 July.

Garda Deirdre Barrett told the court that she was operating a speed check on the road and recorded Mr Hayes driving a white Audi A6 at high speed while overtaking nine cars in an overtaking lane on the dual carriageway.

Mr Hayes took to the stand to give evidence. He said he was driving from west Cork and was not familiar with the road.

He said he moved into the right hand lane to overtake the cars, and when he realised the overtaking lane was coming to an end, he sped up to get in front of the other cars.

The court was told that Mr Hayes has a clean driving record and no previous road traffic convictions.

Judge Colm Roberts asked Mr Hayes if he would accept that speed is the number one cause of death on the roads at the moment.

Judge Roberts said the case merited a conviction for dangerous driving, and not careless driving as had been put forward by Mr Hayes's defence barrister.

He disqualified Mr Hayes from driving for two years and imposed a fine of €250.