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. 2201Murder · Co. Dublin · 22 Feb 2022

Costs hearing to follow Diarmuid Phelan's acquittal in Tallaght murder trial

A hearing is scheduled for 10 March 2025 to determine liability for up to €2 million in legal costs from the ten-week Central Criminal Court trial in which law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, was acquitted of the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who was shot at Phelan's farm in Tallaght, Co Dublin, in February 2022.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted3 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDiarmuid Phelan is a senior counsel and law professor at Trinity College Dublin, aged 56. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKeith Conlon was 36 and a father of four. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatConlon was pronounced brain-dead in hospital two days after being shot. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatConlon was trespassing on the farm with Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe trespassers had two dogs, a lurcher and a terrier, and were apparently engaged in badger baiting. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatConlon was shot in the back of the head as he turned away. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe defence contended the discharge of the firearm was a legitimate act of self-defence not done with intent to penetrate Conlon's body. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe shooting took place at Hazlegrove farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponPhelan shot the lurcher with his licensed Winchester rifle. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponPhelan fired two shots into the air and a third shot from his Smith & Wesson revolver penetrated Conlon's body. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial of Diarmuid Phelan ended with his acquittal of the murder of a man on his Co Dublin farm. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe overall costs of the ten-week trial at the Central Criminal Court have been estimated at up to €2 million. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtPhelan was represented by senior counsel Seán Guerin and Michael Bowman, instructed by Arthur McLean LLP Solicitors. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtPhelan's trial costs, including retaining US-based firearms experts, are estimated at up to €1 million. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe costs issue was listed for directions on 10 March before Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA jury unanimously found Phelan not guilty on the murder charge in January 2025. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Mar2025
    Acquittedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Liability for up to €2m costs of law professor’s murder trial may be decided later this month

    Reports on the post-acquittal costs issue, with a directions hearing before Ms Justice Lankford on 10 March 2025 to determine liability for up to €2 million in trial costs, and provides further detail on the shooting and the prosecution and defence cases.

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