Courts / Wexford / Report

Wexford men go on trial accused of forging the will of a bachelor farmer

Summary

In a 2015 trial in Wexford, William O'Leary, aged 51, admitted forging the will of a bachelor farmer, Matthew Hayes, and gave evidence against his brother Charles O'Leary, 61, and Noel Hayes, 61, a vegetable wholesaler. The three men are charged with forging the will dated between December 1998 and January 1999. Charles O'Leary had previously pleaded guilty to a related forgery and received an 18‑month suspended sentence, with a €30,000 payment to Matthew Hayes' next of kin. Noel Hayes acquired nearly €592,000 in assets, including 162 acres of farmland, after being named in the forged will witnessed by Charles and William. The trial is ongoing before Judge Patricia Ryam.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Wexford men go on trial accused of forging the will of a bachelor farmer. Charges or matters: forging the will of Matthew Hayes on a date between December 1998 and January 1999; taking part in the alleged forgery. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• December 1998 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 1999 Hearing Or Sentence
• Christmas Other
• Christmas Eve 1998 Other
• Christmas day Other
• New Year's Other
• 2015-01-21 Publication

Why: O Leary said that Noel Hayes had said he kept a copy of the cheque 'because it might come in handy'. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report