Wednesday 28 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. 4676Murder (acquitted) · Co. Dublin

Acquitted law lecturer Diarmuid Phelan awarded legal aid costs in murder case

Law lecturer Diarmuid Phelan was acquitted of murdering Keith ‘Bono’ Conlon, a trespasser on his Co Dublin farm. The trial judge awarded him costs on the legal aid scale, which are likely to be well short of his estimated €1.25m bill.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted5 Nov
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe shooting took place at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMr Conlon died on 24 February 2022, two days after being shot. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationMr Phelan cooperated with gardaí at the scene and answered all questions at interview. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial judge awarded Mr Phelan's costs on the legal aid scale. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe legal aid costs will cover two senior counsel and two junior counsel. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said there were four independent eyewitnesses to the killing, so the prosecution was justified in taking the case. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Phelan was unanimously acquitted by a jury of murdering Keith ‘Bono’ Conlon. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence case was that the killing was unintended and that Mr Phelan acted in self-defence. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe costs incurred by Mr Phelan were estimated at around €1.25m. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge said awarding costs was not an adverse comment on the DPP's decision to prosecute. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Nov2025
    Acquittedirishtimes.com, first report
    Law lecturer acquitted of murder faces large bill after only legal aid costs awarded

    Reports the trial judge's costs ruling after the acquittal: costs awarded on the legal aid scale, covering two senior and two junior counsel and most experts, with the bill estimated at about €1.25m.

    accused, Diarmuid Phelan, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Diarmuid Phelanvictim, Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, male, irish (judged from name)Keith 'Bono' Conlon