Courts / Wexford / Report

Businessmen accused of alleged will forgery are acquitted

Summary

Two Wexford businessmen, Noel Hayes (61) and William O'Leary (51), were acquitted of forging the will of Matthew Hayes, dated between December 1998 and January 1999, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The jury, composed of eight men and four women, returned a not‑guilty verdict after about two and a half hours of deliberation on the ninth day of the trial. The prosecution's key witness, Charlie O'Leary, had previously pleaded guilty to a related offence and received an 18‑month suspended sentence, and he testified that the will was signed a week after Matthew Hayes' death. He alleged that Noel Hayes sought to resolve an old land dispute and that the O'Leary brothers had a bitter business relationship that led to ongoing legal disputes, including a high‑court case where Charlie O'Leary was awarded around €3 million. William O'Leary pleaded not guilty. Noel Hayes pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Businessmen accused of alleged will forgery are acquitted. Charges or matters: forging the will of Matthew Hayes on a date between December 1998 and January 1999. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 1998 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 1999 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2015-02-02 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report