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. 4776Murder · Co. Dublin · 22 Feb 2022

Jury in murder trial of Diarmuid Phelan sent home as prosecution witness unavailable

Diarmuid Phelan, a 56-year-old barrister and farmer, has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering Keith Conlon, 36, at his Tallaght farm in February 2022. The jury was sent home for a second day because the next prosecution witness was not available, and the trial was put back to Monday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe killing is alleged to have happened at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe murder charge gives the date as 24 February 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMr Conlon was seriously injured in a shooting on 22 February and died two days later. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe State says the third shot was fired at Mr Conlon as he had turned away to leave, hitting him in the back of the head. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe State says three men including Mr Conlon had trespassed on a wooded area of Mr Phelan's land while hunting foxes or badgers. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponMr Phelan said he reached for a Smith & Wesson revolver in his pocket. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDiarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty to murdering Keith Conlon. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case is being heard before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury of nine men and three women at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said there was a difficulty because the next prosecution witness was not available, so evidence could not proceed. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge put the matter back to Monday at 2pm. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Phelan said he fired in the air over the men's heads. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Phelan told gardaí he shot a dog running loose towards his sheep with his rifle. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence is expected to argue the shot that hit Mr Conlon was accidental and not intended to penetrate his body. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Phelan is a barrister, law lecturer and farmer who owns Hazelgrove, formerly a golf course in Tallaght. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Nov2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Jury in trial of law professor sent home for second day as prosecution witness is unavailable

    Reports the jury being sent home for a second day at the Central Criminal Court because the next prosecution witness was unavailable. Sets out the State's and defence's opening positions on the shooting at Hazelgrove Farm, Tallaght.

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