Thursday 29 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. 7268Murder · Co. Dublin · 22 Feb 2022

Man accused of murder seeks bail variation to return to Tallaght farm

Keith Conlon, a father of four, was shot in a shooting incident at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on February 22, 2022, and died at Tallaght University Hospital two days later. Diarmuid Phelan, a senior counsel and associate professor of law at Trinity College, has been charged with Conlon's murder. Phelan appeared at Tallaght District Court on February 25, 2022, and was remanded in custody. The High Court refused bail, but the Court of Appeal overturned that decision and bailed Phelan after two bonds of €50,000 were lodged. At a High Court hearing reported in October 2023, Phelan sought a variation of his bail to return to his Tallaght farm three days a week, and his trial before the Central Criminal Court has been set for May 29, 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Keith Conlon, a father of four, was seriously injured in a shooting and died at Tallaght University Hospital two days later.
  • Diarmuid Phelan is a senior counsel and associate professor of law at Trinity College who has farmed in Tallaght since 2015 and in Wexford for over 20 years.
Cause
Conlon was shot in a shooting incident.
Where
The shooting took place at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin.
When
The shooting happened on February 22, 2022.
Charges
Phelan is charged with the murder of Keith Conlon.
In court
  • Phelan appeared at Tallaght District Court on February 25, 2022, and was remanded in custody.
  • The High Court refused bail, but the Court of Appeal overturned that decision and bailed Phelan after two bonds of €50,000 were lodged.
  • At a High Court hearing reported in October 2023, Phelan sought a variation of his bail to return to his Tallaght farm three days a week for six hours a day, to return to his Wexford farm, and to extend his curfew hours.
  • Phelan has been given a trial date of May 29, 2024, before the Central Criminal Court, expected to last three weeks and needing French and German interpreters.
Other details
  • An agricultural consultant told the court that the farm's 66 cattle and about 140 sheep would face serious welfare issues if Phelan remained excluded, and that the holding could be put out of an organic farming scheme.
  • The bulk of the Wexford farm was sold for €540,000 in July.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPhelan wants to go back to his Tallaght farm three days a week for six hours each day. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatConlon was seriously injured in the shooting and died at Tallaght University Hospital two days later. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe killing took place at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe shooting happened on February 22nd, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeConlon was shot in a shooting incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePhelan is charged with the murder of Keith Conlon. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtPhelan sought a variation of his bail conditions at a High Court hearing on a Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtPhelan was remanded in custody after appearing at Tallaght District Court on February 25th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe High Court refused bail, but the Court of Appeal overturned that decision and bailed Phelan after two bonds of €50,000 were lodged. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtPhelan has been given a trial date of May 29th next year before the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe trial is expected to last three weeks and needs French and German interpreters. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe agricultural consultant said the farm's 66 cattle and about 140 sheep would face serious welfare issues if the current arrangement continued. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe bulk of the Wexford farm was sold for €540,000 in July. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Oct2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Law professor accused of fatal shooting wants to be able to return to 170-acre farm for ‘welfare’ of livestock

    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.

    accused, Diarmuid Phelan, 54, male, named, irish (judged from name)Diarmuid Phelanvictim, Keith Conlon, 36, male, irish (judged from name)Keith Conlon