Trial hears Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes and two men 'punched and kicked' man

A trial is under way at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court of three men, including All-Ireland winning hurler Kyle Hayes, who are charged with offences relating to incidents alleged to have happened in and outside a Limerick nightclub four years ago.

Five-time All-Ireland winner and four-time All-Star, 25-year-old Mr Hayes, with an address at Ballyashea, Kildimo, Co Limerick, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of violent disorder and one count of assault causing harm, offences alleged to have occurred in or outside The Icon nightclub in Limerick on 28 October, 2019.

A co-accused, 22-year-old Jai Choudri of Carheeny in Kildimo, denies a charge of assault causing harm and one of violent disorder, while a third defendant, 24-year-old Craig Cosgrave of Caherally in Grange, Co Limerick, has pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.

Judge Dermot Sheehan and a jury have heard that 24-year-old Cillian McCarthy was assaulted in the early hours of 28 October, 2019.

Opening the prosecution case, barrister John O'Sullivan said that Mr McCarthy was on a night out and ended up at The Icon nightclub on Upper Denmark Street, with Mr Cosgrave, who was his friend at the time.

Mr McCarthy was speaking to two girls in the nightclub, the prosecution said, and Mr Hayes, who was present, became upset about this.

Mr McCarthy was set up on by Mr Hayes and others, according to the prosecution, and numerous punches were thrown.

It is also alleged that Mr McCarthy was attacked outside the nightclub and that Mr Choudri was also a participant in this incident.

The prosecution alleged that Mr McCarthy was "pursued" outside the nightclub by Mr Hayes and others, and that Mr Hayes "attacked" Mr McCarthy on the street at Upper Denmark Street and that Mr Choudri was