Ireland Crime

Reports the sentencing of prosecution witness Kallum Coleman for contempt of court, including details of his flight to Spain, his escape from gardaí in Marbella and from Tallaght Garda Station, and the judge's reasoning for imposing a custodial sentence.

Reports that the DPP's asset confiscation application under the Criminal Justice Act 1994 was adjourned to March by Judge Martin Nolan, pending Lynn's appeal against sentence. Details the assets under investigation: €3m property in Portugal, €2.8m in three bank accounts, and a house in Brittas Bay owned by a company linked to Lynn.

Reports Coleman's first court appearance facing contempt proceedings, where the matter was adjourned to be heard by the trial judge Ms Justice Lankford in Cork. Provides background on the underlying Phelan murder trial and Coleman's flight to Spain.

Describes the initial court appearance on 14 January 2025 where Coleman was brought before Mr Justice McDermott on a warrant, with the contempt matter adjourned to be heard by Ms Justice Lankford in Cork the following Monday.

Adds details on Phelan's Trinity role (lecturing since 1994, three days a week, EU and Competition Law), his salary funding his mother's home care at over €100,000/year, the specific weapons used (Winchester rifle on the dog, Smith & Wesson revolver on the men), the defence argument that the third bullet was accidental, and the names of the other two trespassers (Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan).

Reports Coleman's arrest by arrangement and remand in custody before Mr Justice Kennedy at the High Court, with a contempt of court charge anticipated; provides background on the Phelan trial and Coleman's role as Conlon's fellow trespasser at Hazelgrove Farm.

Reveals what the jury did not hear during the Phelan murder trial, including Garda Pulse records describing Conlon's criminal history, a secret audio recording of Supt Miley's evidence, the arrest and flight of witness Kallum Coleman, and a prosecution request for a jury site visit to the farm.

Reveals details the jury did not hear: Garda Pulse 'Modus Operandi' entries on Keith Conlon, a secret audio recording of Supt Miley's evidence, the court artist dispute, the refused site visit application, and Kallum Coleman's arrest and escape from a garda station.

Reports the acquittal verdict, the jury composition and deliberation time, prosecution and defence arguments, the family's reaction, and details of the shooting including the weapons used and the circumstances of the encounter on the farm.

The jury acquitted Phelan of murder. The article provides detailed trial evidence including testimony from farm hands, a French student, 999 call recordings, and a video from Conlon's phone. It also draws parallels with the 2004 Padraig Nally case in Co Mayo and details the absence of witness Kallum Coleman, who was tracked to Spain and later arrested on 2 January.

The jury of nine men and three women returned a not guilty verdict just after 4pm on Friday after about seven hours of deliberation. The prosecution argued the third shot from Phelan's revolver, which hit Conlon in the back of the head, showed the necessary intent for murder. The defence argued it was legitimate self-defence and an unintended killing. The Conlon family said they were 'very hurt and disappointed at today's verdict'.