Ireland Crime

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.

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.

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.

Adds that Keith Conlon's daughter published a victim impact statement she expected to read in court. The article body is empty apart from page template code, so no further details are given.

The article body is an unrendered page template with no text beyond the headline. The headline reports the acquittal of Diarmuid Phelan on a murder charge over a trespasser on a Tallaght farm.

Reports the jury's not guilty verdict, the self-defence basis for it, the length of deliberations and the trial, and the judge's remarks. Gives the shooting date as 24 February 2022 in one place and 22 February in another.

Reports that the jury will resume deliberations after suspending them on Tuesday, with the trial not sitting on 1 January or 2 January 2025. Adds the prosecution and defence positions on the shooting, the three available verdicts, and the ages of Conlon and Phelan.

Reports the not guilty verdict and the jury's deliberations, and details evidence and events the jury was not told about, including Conlon's Pulse records, a public-gallery audio recording, the snipe rifles and the arrest of witness Kallum Coleman.

Reports the jury's unanimous not guilty verdict on 3 January 2025, the jury's reasoning, and that Phelan was released as a free man.

Reports that the jury began deliberations on Tuesday 31 December 2024, deliberated for about four hours, and will resume on Friday 3 January 2025. Provides detail on the prosecution and defence cases, the route to verdict document, and the circumstances of the shooting.

Reports the jury beginning deliberations at 10:33am on 31 December 2024, details of the 'path to verdict' document and the three possible verdicts, and sets out the prosecution and defence cases regarding the shooting, including the use of a Winchester rifle and a Smith and Wesson revolver.

Reports that the jury has begun considering its verdict, that deliberations will resume on Friday, and that the trial is in its tenth week. Sets out the three verdict options and the prosecution and defence cases.

Reports that the jury suspended its verdict deliberations for the New Year holiday, will return on Friday, and has been told to avoid discussing the case. It also gives the jury's deliberation time so far and the judge's directions on the possible verdicts.

Details the jury's start of deliberations, the path to verdict document, the three possible verdicts, and provides extensive background on the shooting including the prosecution and defence cases, the weapons used, and the self-defence legal framework.

Reports the judge's final charge to the jury, the 'path to verdict' document, the jury's decision to begin deliberations at 10am Tuesday, and details of the prosecution and defence cases including the three shots fired, the self-defence argument, and the ballistic expert's testimony.

Reports the judge's charge concluding on Monday 30 December 2024, the three possible verdicts, and the jury being directed to begin deliberations at 10am Tuesday. Provides details of the prosecution and defence cases including the shooting circumstances, the weapon used, and the closing arguments by both sides.

Trial adjourned to 30 December 2024 due to juror unavailability; judge to complete charge and summarise prosecution and defence cases on resumption day. Closing addresses for both sides have been delivered.

Reports that the jury will not begin deliberations until after Christmas, that the judge will sum up the cases and give legal questions on 30 December, and that the trial is in its ninth week against an expected six.

Reports the trial was adjourned from Wednesday to Thursday due to juror unavailability; provides details of prosecution and defence closing arguments, the weapon (Smith & Wesson revolver), the circumstances of the shooting, and the names of the other two men present on the farm.

Provides details of the judge's ongoing jury charge, the prosecution and defence closing arguments, the specific sequence of events at the farm (shooting of the lurcher, heated exchanges, three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver), and the jury composition (nine men, three women) with three possible verdicts: murder, manslaughter, or acquittal.

Details of the judge's charge to the jury, including the three possible verdicts, the prosecution and defence cases, the sequence of events at the farm, and the composition of the jury (nine men, three women).

Reports the trial judge's charge to the jury on 9 December 2024, including the three possible verdicts, the self-defence directions and the State's and defence's positions on the shooting. Adds that the charge would continue the next day.

Reports on the defence and prosecution closing addresses and the judge beginning her jury charge in the Phelan murder trial, with the trial adjourned to Monday for the charge to continue.

Reports that closing speeches have finished, the judge has begun her charge to the jury, and the jury is expected to begin considering its verdict the following week. Gives Keith Conlon's age as 35 and Diarmuid Phelan's as 56, and reports the defence and prosecution arguments on whether the shooting was intentional.

Defence closing address arguing self-defence and that the shooting was unintended; prosecution case that the fatal shot was aimed at Conlon as he turned away.

Defence closing speech at the Central Criminal Court on 3 December 2024. The article gives 24 February 2022 as the date of the murder, while the defence refers to 22 February 2022 when describing the events.

Prosecution closing address delivered; jury told evidence shows Phelan shot Conlon in the back of the head with a revolver after shooting Coleman's dog; defence case is self-defence; trial before Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford with jury of nine men and three women.

Reports the prosecution's closing speech to the jury, including its arguments on intent, the farmhand evidence, the absence of Kallum Coleman as a witness and the defence's accident claim.

Defence closed its case after seven weeks of evidence; jury sent home until Monday for closing speeches. New evidence included testimony about constant trespassing on Phelan's land between 2015 and 2019, spray-painted 'RIP Bono' on a gate, and that Phelan was seeking to rent out the clubhouse before it was burnt down.

Reports that the defence has closed its case, with the jury to return on Monday for closing speeches. Adds evidence given by defence witnesses about trespassing, lighting, gate damage and the 'warning shots' account.

Defence called dog warden Phillip Behan to testify that farmers are within their rights to shoot loose dogs worrying sheep, supporting Phelan's account. Phelan told gardaí he saw a dog 'apparently alone and loose' and had a 'split second' to decide. The jury heard three men had trespassed on the wooded area while hunting foxes or badgers, and that Phelan fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver after shouting at two unarmed trespassers to 'get back'.

Reports trial testimony on 26 November 2024 from a dog warden on the lawfulness of shooting loose dogs and from a badger expert, and records Phelan's account that he accidentally hit Conlon while firing warning shots.

Reports defence expert evidence (Dr William Lewinski, behavioural scientist) in the ongoing trial, testifying that the decision to fire warning shots was reasonable and that firearm dynamics supported an unintentional strike; also details the prosecution's case that the third shot was fired with the gun pointed at Conlon who was shot in the back of the head while turning away.

Reports the defence's second expert witness, Dr William Lewinski, giving evidence that the warning shots were reasonable and that the fatal strike could have been unintentional. The trial continues before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury, and the prosecution is to continue re-examining the witness.

Firearms expert Curtis Marshall gave evidence on his second day, testifying about reaction times under stress and the speed at which a revolver can be fired. The prosecution outlined the case that three men trespassed on Phelan's land while hunting, and Phelan fired three shots from his Smith & Wesson revolver, the third of which struck Conlon in the head.

Details Phelan's shooting competition history (bronze in three pistol competitions, gold in rifle, beginners' category, 'somewhat pedestrian' scores) and the prosecution's closing address outlining the State's case on intent and the defence's self-defence argument.

Reports the trial on 20 November 2024: a shooting-competition witness gave evidence on Phelan's record, the prosecution and defence opening addresses are summarised, and the State's account of the shooting and Phelan's self-defence position are set out. Trial ongoing.

Adds testimony from Garda Stephen Murray about a 2016 confrontation in which Phelan was stoned by six trespassers, the 2017 District Court incident in which three defendants made threatening gestures, the subsequent breach of the peace convictions, and the prosecution's account of Phelan firing his Smith & Wesson revolver in the air before Conlon fell.

Reports opening addresses and garda evidence at the murder trial, including an earlier confrontation in which Phelan was threatened and stoned, the defence and prosecution positions on the shooting, and the jury and judge details. Gives Phelan's account of firing into the air and the shot to the back of Conlon's head as the State alleges.

Covers the opening of the murder trial: the not guilty plea, the State's and defence's accounts of the shooting, the garda's evidence about a 2016 confrontation on the land and 2017 threats in court, and the jury details.

Describes the jury viewing animal attack videos from the deceased's phone, the State's and defence's cases on the shooting, and Phelan's account of the incident. Trial before Ms Justice Lankford continues.

Report on the murder trial in progress: the jury was shown eight videos from the deceased's phone, and the prosecution and defence gave their opening positions on the shooting.

Reports that the jury viewed eight videos from the deceased's phone showing animal attacks, and that the trial continues the next day. Adds the State's and defence's opening positions on the shooting.

State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers testified on the cause and manner of death, the bullet's trajectory, and the absence of contributory factors. The court heard evidence of the history of incidents at Hazelgrove Farm (arson, trespass, theft) and the prosecution's case that Phelan intended to kill or cause serious injury, against the defence case of legitimate self-defence.

Reports pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers's evidence on the cause of death, the bullet track and the cross-examination on Conlon's position when shot. Also covers the Garda evidence on Pulse records for Hazelgrove Farm and the opening speeches. No verdict is reported.

Pathologist's evidence on distance of shot, postmortem findings (fractured parietal bone, deformed projectile, bruising); prosecution opening address detailing the sequence (dog shot, three men emerged, Phelan fired three shots); defence evidence on 89 local crimes over 22 years; details of the three trespassers and the 2016 fire at Hazelgrove.

New trial evidence on the distance between Phelan and Conlon at the time of shooting, the bullet trajectory from the postmortem, and the absence of powder tattooing confirming a distance greater than one metre. The judge indicated the prosecution case is near its conclusion.

Reports evidence from Phelan's fourth and final garda interview, in which he denied being the aggressor, described the three men as 'exploding' out of bushes 'screaming and roaring', and rejected the suggestion he saw himself as above people with dogs. Also details the State's case that two of three shots from his Smith & Wesson revolver were fired into the air and the third hit Conlon in the back of the head as he turned to leave.

Reports trial evidence from November 2024, including Phelan's garda interview account, the detective's evidence on his arrest and conduct, and the prosecution's opening case. Phelan has pleaded not guilty.

Trial report: jurors handled the revolver and the detective gave evidence on its safety features. The article gives February 24th, 2022 as the date of the murder but also says the shooting took place on February 22nd and Mr Conlon died two days later; incident_date uses February 22nd.

Reports on day-of-trial evidence: a Garda ballistics detective testified that the fatal bullet came from the revolver, that at least six hollow-pointed bullets were in it, that mixing ammunition types is extremely dangerous, and that the State says the accused intended to kill or cause serious injury. The article gives the shooting date as 22 February in one passage and the murder date as 24 February in another.

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.

Reports the murder trial was adjourned on 1 November 2024 to 2pm on the following Monday because a prosecution witness was unavailable. Phelan's defence is that he acted in self-defence and the shot was accidental; the prosecution says he intended to kill or cause serious injury.

Reports day eleven of the trial, the prosecution and defence positions, and the jury being sent away until Friday. The article gives the trial timetable and the firearm details.

Reports the Central Criminal Court trial is ongoing: the jury was sent away, the trial was expected to last six weeks, and the opening addresses set out the State's case and the defence's self-defence claim.

Court report on the murder trial day three. It gives 22 February as the date of the shooting, while the plea reference says 24 February 2022, and Mr Conlon died two days after being shot.

Reports the 10th day of the trial, including cross-examination of Sgt Simon Whelan about Mr Conlon's 2010 conviction for assaulting a garda and the prosecution account of the shooting.

Reports the trial evidence given on 30 October 2024: a garda's cross-examined account of Conlon's prior conviction and a 2018 sighting, the defence and prosecution positions, and a garda's account of the scene and Phelan's arrest. This article gives the date as 24 February 2022, whereas the existing case gives 22 February.

Trial report from the ninth day of Phelan's murder trial, covering garda evidence of his admissions, the firearms found and the prosecution and defence positions.

Reports garda evidence from the Central Criminal Court trial on 29 October 2024: Phelan allegedly told first gardaí he shot the man and produced a revolver, and a witness said Phelan had fired shots as he turned. Phelan claims self-defence.

Trial report: jury shown seven segments of dashcam and phone footage; the defence is expected to argue self-defence. The article gives both 22 February and 24 February 2022 as dates for the shooting, so the incident date is uncertain.

Trial report: a garda witness described dashcam and mobile phone footage from the day of the shooting. Trial continues on Tuesday.

Reports fourth farmhand Julien Roudaut's evidence at the murder trial, including his account of the shots, the injured man and Phelan's reaction. The article gives the murder date as 24 February 2022, but the witness describes events on 22 February.

Trial report from the seventh day of the trial. It adds the prosecution case that Phelan shot a dog and then Conlon, the defence case of self-defence, and the playing of a 999 call and a video recording to the jury.

Adds testimony from farm worker Julien Roudaut, who said Phelan appeared shocked and fired shots towards the sky, plus a mobile phone video played in court. The trial was continuing and no verdict is reported.

Reports the sixth day of the trial, including paramedic evidence on Conlon's condition at the scene, the prosecution and defence positions, and evidence from a farm worker.

Reports the trial on its fourth day, including the judge's clarification that the French word 'énervé' was mistranslated as 'really p*ssed off'. The article gives the murder date as February 24th, 2022, while the trespass and shooting are described as occurring on February 22nd, 2022.

Covers the third day of the trial, including a farm worker's account of the shooting, the prosecution's case and Phelan's account to gardaí and his defence of self-defence.

Trial report from the court hearing. The article gives February 24, 2022 as the date of the murder in the charge and February 22 as the date of the shooting, and says Mr Conlon died two days after being shot.

Reports the jury hearing three 999 calls on 18 October 2024, the prosecution's opening account, the gun position alleged by the State, and the defence's expected self-defence argument. It also names the trial judge and jury makeup.

Reports trial evidence from 18 October 2024: three 999 calls played to the jury, Hannah Felgner's testimony that Phelan fired a shot in the air and later shot Conlon in the back, and her concession under cross-examination that she had said the man was shot in the chest rather than the head. The trial continues on Monday.

Reports evidence from farmhand Pierre Godreu under cross-examination, including that Phelan fired three shots in quick succession and that Conlon was 'advancing' at the time. Also records the prosecution's account that the third shot was fired towards Conlon, and the defence position that the penetration was accidental.

Reports day two of the trial: evidence from a farm worker who said he saw the shooting, cross-examination by the defence, and a Garda photographer's evidence about implements found on the farm. Gives the prosecution and defence cases.

Reports the eyewitness testimony of farmhand Pierre Godreu and the opening prosecution and defence positions at Phelan's trial. The trial is ongoing and no verdict is reported in this article.

Reports the prosecution's opening address at the start of Phelan's murder trial at the Central Criminal Court on 16 October 2024, including Phelan's account to gardaí and the expected self-defence argument.

First report on the trial: the prosecution opening was deferred to Wednesday after jury issues, and the trial is expected to last six weeks.

Reports that the trial was due to open the next day after two original jurors were discharged and replaced; the jury is now 12 people (nine men, three women); the prosecution will open on Wednesday; the case is expected to last six weeks.

Reports Phelan's not guilty plea at the Central Criminal Court, the charge text, the trial judge and the expected length of the trial (about six weeks). No existing case matches this incident.

Phelan pleaded not guilty before a jury was sworn in. The article gives Phelan's age as 56 and Conlon's as 36, and says the trial starts the next afternoon and is expected to last about six weeks.

Reports that the murder trial of Diarmuid Phelan, a barrister and law professor, was adjourned at the Central Criminal Court to October 7th, pending a further report. The case is listed for mention on July 22nd. Phelan is on bail.

The trial, due to begin on 29 May 2024, was adjourned to the Michaelmas term on 7 October 2024. Phelan was remanded on continuing bail, and the case is to be mentioned for a progress report on 22 July.

Gives Phelan's age as 54 and reports that the Central Criminal Court adjourned the trial until October 2024 over an expert report issue, with a mention in July. The article does not say the trial began.

Reports a High Court bail variation hearing in the murder case. Phelan seeks access to his Tallaght and Wexford farms and extended curfew hours. The agricultural consultant's evidence covers livestock welfare, fodder, and the organic farming scheme. The trial date is May 29th next year.