Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0143Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 15 Jun 2020

FAI coach Matthew Hayes Rice jailed for stabbing close friend in Tallaght

On 15 June 2020, Matthew Hayes Rice, a 29-year-old FAI coach, stabbed a close female friend during an altercation at her flat in Exchange Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24, after a dispute involving his sister. The victim sustained a 9cm deep stab wound to her side and cuts to her face, and was taken to Tallaght Hospital. Hayes Rice pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and took three bench warrants in the case. On 14 October 2026, Judge Nolan sentenced him to two years and three months, reduced from a headline of four years and six months, with credit for time served.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced14 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Hayes Rice rang the victim looking for a cigarette, she brought it to his flat, then he and his sister went to her home where a physical confrontation broke out after the victim told Hayes Rice's sister to leave over her taking tablets.
  • The victim sustained a 9cm deep stab wound to her side and cuts to her face during the altercation.
Where
The incident occurred at Exchange Hall, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24, and the victim was taken to Tallaght Hospital for treatment.
When
The stabbing took place on 15 June 2020.
Weapon
Hayes Rice had the knife in his pocket.
Investigation
Nothing of evidential value was obtained when Hayes Rice spoke to gardai.
Charges
Matthew Hayes Rice pleaded guilty to assault causing harm.
In court
Letters from family, FAI, and Shamrock Rovers were handed to the court in mitigation; the maximum sentence for assault causing harm at the time was five years, now 10 years.
Sentence
Judge Nolan set a headline sentence of four years and six months, reduced to two years and three months, with credit for any time served in custody on the case.
Other details
Hayes Rice and the victim were good friends who both lived in the Exchange Hall complex; Hayes Rice has previous convictions, is a qualified FAI coach, and has three young children.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHayes Rice rang the victim looking for a cigarette, which she brought to his flat. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim noticed Hayes Rice's sister taking tablets and told her to leave, leading to a physical confrontation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe sister kicked the woman in the mouth during the confrontation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHayes Rice initially got between the two women before he and his sister attacked the victim. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim sustained a 9cm deep stab wound to her side. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim also sustained cuts to her face during the initial altercation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at Exchange Hall, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe woman was taken to Tallaght Hospital for treatment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe stabbing took place on 15 June 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponHayes Rice had the knife in his pocket. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationNothing of evidential value was obtained when Hayes Rice spoke to gardai. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMatthew Hayes Rice pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtLetters from family, FAI and Shamrock Rovers were handed to the court in mitigation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe maximum sentence for assault causing harm at the time was five years, now 10 years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Nolan set a headline sentence of four years and six months, reduced to two years and three months. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge directed Hayes Rice should receive credit for any time served in custody on the case. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHayes Rice and the victim were good friends who both lived in the Exchange Hall complex. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHayes Rice has a number of previous convictions and took three bench warrants in the case. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHayes Rice is a qualified FAI coach. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHayes Rice has three young children. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Oct2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    FAI coach who stabbed close friend jailed: 'Shocking and grim'

    Reports the sentencing of Matthew Hayes Rice to two years and three months for assault causing harm arising from a stabbing of a close friend in June 2020, including details of the altercation, the 9cm stab wound, and mitigation including his FAI coaching career and three young children.

    victim, femaleconvicted, Matthew Hayes Rice, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Hayes Rice