Case No. 1193Murder · Co. Dublin · 24 Feb 2022
Barrister for acquitted murder defendant Diarmuid Phelan argues State should pay legal costs
A 36-year-old man was killed at Hazelgrove Farm, Tallaght, Dublin, on 24 February 2022. Diarmuid Phelan, a 56-year-old barrister, law lecturer and farmer, was charged with murdering the trespasser on his farm. Phelan went on trial in October 2024 and was acquitted by a Central Criminal Court jury in January 2025. In 2025, Phelan's counsel argued before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford that the State should pay his legal costs, with a ruling expected in September.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Acquitted1 Aug
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 36-year-old man was killed at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24, on 24 February 2022.
- Where
- The murder occurred at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
- When
- The murder occurred on 24 February 2022.
- In court
- Phelan went on trial in October 2024 and was acquitted by a Central Criminal Court jury in January 2025.
- A costs hearing took place on the last day of the Trinity term in 2025 before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford.
- Sean Guerin SC opened the costs application and John Byrne SC for the DPP opposed it.
- The judge noted wide discretion in case law where 50 per cent of costs had been awarded to applicants, and a ruling is expected in September 2025.
- Other details
- Phelan is a barrister, law lecturer and farmer who owns Hazelgrove, formerly a golf course.
- Phelan has assets valued in the millions and did not receive legal aid.
- Phelan instructed two senior and two junior counsel at his trial and called expert witnesses after the close of the prosecution case.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe murder occurred at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe trial ended in January 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- whenPhelan went on trial in October 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred on 24 February 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPhelan was acquitted by a Central Criminal Court jury of murdering a trespasser on his farm. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe costs hearing took place on the last day of the Trinity term before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford. (irishtimes.com)
- courtSean Guerin SC, one of two senior counsel at the trial, opened the costs application. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJohn Byrne SC, for the DPP, opposed the costs application. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge noted there was wide discretion in case law where 50 per cent of costs had been awarded to applicants. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPhelan has assets valued in the millions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPhelan instructed two senior and two junior counsel at his trial. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPhelan did not receive legal aid. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPhelan called expert witnesses who gave evidence following the close of the prosecution case. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPhelan is a barrister, law lecturer and farmer who owns Hazelgrove, formerly a golf course. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Aug2025State seems to be suggesting even people of means should apply for legal aid, barrister for Diarmuid Phelan tells court
Covers the post-acquittal costs application hearing where Phelan's counsel argued the State should pay his legal costs, with the judge noting wide discretion in case law and hoping to deliver judgement in September.
accused, Diarmuid Phelan, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Diarmuid Phelanvictim, 36, male, irish (judged from name)