O'Reilly's `iron glove on Earth'

Mr Joe Hayes (51), the former managing director of Independent Newspapers (Ireland), held that position from 1981 to 1993 and was described as "Tony O'Reilly's iron glove on Earth".

He joined Independent Newspapers from the Gallaher tobacco company. He moved to Independent in 1979 and brought an early recognition of the importance of marketing to the Middle Abbey Street publisher.

Generally regarded as an aggressive, hard-working executive, Mr Hayes had responsibility for all Independent's Irish titles, national and provincial, apart from the Sunday World. During his period with the company sales rose from £40 million in 1980 to £170 million in 1992.

At the time of his resignation, Mr Hayes rejected speculation that differences over policy and reorganisation had led to his departure. In June 1993, shareholders voted to give him a bonus of £600,000 for his work with the group's move into cable television and its sale of 50 per cent of Princes Holdings to two US companies. Some market sources said at the time that Mr Hayes might have been less than happy with the bonus.

In 1993 his Independent shares were estimated to be worth close to £1.5 million. Mr Hayes, originally from Co Kerry, has been living abroad since his resignation but maintains a home at Rathmore, Co Kildare. He is married and has five children.