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Businessman accused of forging will tells trial main prosecution witness had "vendetta" and describes himself as "meat in the sandwich"
Summary
The trial of Noel Hayes and William O'Leary, both accused of forging the will of Matthew Hayes between December 1998 and January 1999, continued before Judge Patricia Ryan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty. On the seventh day of the trial, Noel Hayes, a vegetable wholesaler from Ramsgrange, Co Wexford, was cross-examined by prosecuting counsel Philip Sheahan SC. Hayes suggested that the main prosecution witness, Charlie O'Leary, who previously pleaded guilty and received an 18-month suspended sentence plus an order to pay €30,000, acted out of a 'vendetta' against his brother, William. Hayes described himself as the 'meat in the sandwich' in this dispute. Counsel questioned Hayes on whether it was odd for William O'Leary to 'concoct' a story exposing himself to imprisonment to 'shop his best friend' due to a vendetta. Hayes acknowledged it would be odd for a normal person but not for Charlie O'Leary, stating that 'nothing mattered to him except to bring down his brother.' Counsel also alleged that Hayes' repeated requests for William O'Leary to join a 2004 land deal stemmed from anxiety that the will had not been executed, a claim Hayes denied, citing their lifelong friendship. The trial continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Businessman accused of forging will tells trial main prosecution witness had "vendetta" and describes himself as "meat in the sandwich". Charges or matters: the crime because he had a 'vendetta' against his own brother and he was the "meat in the sandwich." On the seventh day of the trial Noel Hayes, a vegetable wholesaler from Ramsgrange, Co Wexford was cross-examined by Philip Sheahan SC, prosecuting; forging the will of Matthew Hayes on a date between December 1998 and January 1999. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 1998 Other
- January 1999 Other
- 2015-01-29 Publication
Why: Photo: Collins) by Aaron Rogan A Wexford businessman on trial for allegedly forging the will of a bachelor farmer said another man pleaded guilty to the crime because he had a 'vendetta' against his own brother and he was the "meat in the sandwich. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the crime because he had a 'vendetta' against his own brother and he was the "meat in the sandwich." On the seventh day of the trial Noel Hayes, a vegetable wholesaler from Ramsgrange, Co Wexford was cross-examined by Philip Sheahan SC, prosecuting; forging the will of Matthew Hayes on a date between December 1998 and January 1999 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Counsel asked Mr Hayes if he thought it was odd that Mr O'Leary would 'concoct' a story that exposed himself to imprisonment and 'shop his best friend' because of a vendetta with his brother.
Defendant
Charges: forging the will of Matthew Hayes on a date between December 1998 and January 1999 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Counsel asked Mr Hayes if he thought it was odd that Mr O'Leary would 'concoct' a story that exposed himself to imprisonment and 'shop his best friend' because of a vendetta with his brother.
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