Thursday 29 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. 1522Assault causing harm, producing a weapon (hurley and wrench) · Co. Limerick · 1 Sep 2021

Limerick brothers Cian and Daragh Hayes transferred to open prison after assault on Ciaran Ryan

In late September 2021, Cian Hayes (33) and Daragh Hayes (37) from Ballyashea, Kildimo, Co Limerick, attacked their former friend Ciaran Ryan with a hurley and a steel wrench after interrogating him about a text message he had sent to Daragh Hayes's ex-partner. Ryan suffered a collapsed lung, multiple fractures, extensive bruising and severe psychological trauma. The brothers initially denied involvement but later pleaded guilty to producing and using the weapons, and were jailed on 30 January 2025, Daragh Hayes for three years with the final six months suspended and Cian Hayes for two and a half years with the final six months suspended. After serving around 19 weeks in Limerick Prison, where they were regarded as model prisoners, they were transferred to Shelton Abbey, Co Wicklow, an open low-security prison, in early June 2025 and are likely to be eligible for release before the end of the year.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced11 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
In late September 2021, Cian Hayes (33) and Daragh Hayes (37) attacked their former friend Ciaran Ryan with a hurley and a foot-long steel wrench after interrogating him about a text message he had sent to Daragh Hayes's ex-partner.
Where
The brothers are from Ballyashea, Kildimo, Co Limerick.
When
The attack took place in late September 2021.
Cause
Ryan suffered a collapsed lung, multiple fractures to a leg, arm and fingers, extensive bruising, and severe psychological trauma.
Weapon
A hurley and a foot-long steel wrench were used in the attack.
Investigation
The brothers initially denied their involvement in the beating.
Charges
They pleaded guilty to producing a hurley and a wrench and using them as weapons.
In court
The brothers were jailed on 30 January 2025.
Sentence
Daragh Hayes was sentenced to three years with the final six months suspended and Cian Hayes to two and a half years with the final six months suspended.
Other details
  • The brothers had no previous convictions and were regarded as model prisoners in Limerick Prison.
  • After serving around 19 weeks in Limerick Prison, they were transferred to Shelton Abbey, Co Wicklow, an open low-security prison, in early June 2025.
  • They are likely to be eligible for release before the end of the year.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe two brothers were transferred from Limerick Prison to Shelton Abbey, Co Wicklow, an open low-security prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThey interrogated Ryan about a text message he had sent to Daragh Hayes's ex-partner. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatRyan suffered a collapsed lung, multiple fractures to a leg, arm and fingers, extensive bruising, and severe psychological trauma. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe brothers are from Ballyashea, Kildimo, Co Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe brothers were jailed on 30 January 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe attack happened in late September 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThey attacked Ryan with a hurley and a foot-long steel wrench. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThey pleaded guilty to producing a hurley and a wrench and using them as weapons. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceDaragh Hayes was jailed for three years with the final six months suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceCian Hayes was jailed for two and a half years with the final six months suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThey had served around 19 weeks in Limerick Prison among the general population. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe brothers initially denied their involvement in the beating. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe brothers had no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe brothers were regarded as model prisoners in Limerick Prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherIt is likely the brothers would be eligible for release before the end of the year. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Jun2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Limerick brothers jailed for savage attack transferred to open prison

    Reports the transfer of the two convicted brothers from Limerick Prison to Shelton Abbey open prison in Co Wicklow, and provides extensive detail from the sentencing hearing including the victim's impact statement, the weapons used, the injuries sustained, the threats made to the victim, and the sentences imposed.

    victim, Ciaran Ryan, male, irish (judged from name)Ciaran Ryanconvicted, Cian Hayes, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cian Hayesconvicted, Daragh Hayes, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daragh Hayes