A hospital worker from Tallaght has received a fully suspended three-and-a-half-year sentence after pleading guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Daniel O'Neill, aged 40, admitted the offence relating to an incident on 12 November 2023 at Pinewood Park, Tallaght. The court heard that while hungover, O'Neill had given his cousin a lift to Cabra, where four suitcases containing €360,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine were placed in his vehicle. Upon detecting the smell of cannabis during the return journey to Tallaght, O'Neill realised what had occurred. Two suitcases were transferred to another car under garda surveillance, resulting in O'Neill's arrest within metres. The remaining cases were found to contain €138,568 of cocaine. His cousin and a third man, James Glynn of Claremorris, County Mayo, were also arrested. Judge Martin Nolan determined O'Neill did not merit imprisonment, considering he had been placed in an unfortunate position and had received no payment.
Stephen Kavanagh, 50, was sentenced by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 240 hours of community service instead of prison for stealing alcohol worth €21,000 while on bail for a similar offence. He pleaded guilty to the theft on 20 September 2023, having 29 prior convictions including a 2022 theft. The judge accepted his guilty plea and noted he had not attracted Garda attention since. A headline sentence of two years was reduced to 18 months, but the court imposed community service within two years. Kavanagh, who had been a successful businessman whose firm had liquidated, claimed financial necessity and debt to "serious individuals" as motive. He had no addiction issues, and his defence highlighted his health difficulties and loss of his mother. The case was adjourned earlier to prepare a Probation Service report to assess suitability for community service.
Sharif Kelly, 54, of Balbriggan, Co Dublin, has failed in his bid to pursue a conviction appeal before the Supreme Court regarding the 2013 murder of dissident Republican Peter Butterly. Kelly, who pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court in April 2017. The court heard that Dean Evans, who pleaded guilty to the murder, fired the three fatal shots into Butterly at the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath, while Kelly was the getaway driver. Kelly's earlier Court of Appeal challenge in April 2022 was dismissed, with judges unimpressed by his objections to the evidence of protected witness David Cullen. Cullen, who turned State's witness, had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the scene and was sentenced in July 2014 to seven years in prison, with three and a half years suspended. Kelly's lawyers also sought to introduce fresh evidence concerning Garda Joseph Doyle, who was later jailed for corruption and deception offences. The Supreme Court refused leave to appeal, determining that issues regarding the admissibility of accomplice-type evidence are primarily for the trial court to analyse and that the Court of Appeal correctly applied established principles governing fresh evidence.
A 36‑year‑old corporal in the Irish Defence Forces, Richard Kearney, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing €25,000 of suspected drug‑proceeds on 6 May 2022. Garda Vincent Jaffray presented evidence that a phone seized from Kearney's rented flat contained communications with known drug dealers, revealing that he had laundered €6.6 million and £250,000 between April 2021 and May 2022. The search uncovered €10,455 in cash hidden in a bed frame and €15,000 wrapped in clingfilm in a freezer. Kearney admitted he was the sole occupant of the flat and that the phone was his. Bank‑statement analysis showed no legitimate source for the money found at his home. The court noted Kearney's lack of prior convictions, his family responsibilities, and his role as a corporal. Judge Martin Nolan, after considering mitigating factors, imposed a headline sentence of six years, reduced to three years.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Cristal O'Brien recounted that on 1 December 2022, her ex‑partner Philip Cox, with whom she had lived for 18 years, stabbed her twice while chasing her with three knives. O'Brien described the attack as a "movie scene" she did not sign up to, noting that Cox threatened to "stab her to pieces" and that the incident left her with severe anxiety, panic attacks and post‑traumatic stress disorder. She was on crutches for three weeks, could not drive for months and was out of work for a year, relying on illness benefit. O'Brien also said she had received ten weeks of counselling and may need more. The court heard that Cox's attempted‑murder charge was dropped after a jury failed to reach a verdict, and that he had pleaded not guilty to that charge. He had previously pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and to the production of a knife.
A key prosecution witness, Kallum Coleman, 23, who was due to testify in the trial of barrister Diarmuid Phelan, 56, was arrested on a warrant issued during Phelan's trial. Coleman had left Ireland for Spain after the trial began and later agreed to return, but the jury heard he had a "change of heart" and fled when gardai stopped for refreshments en route to a Spanish airport. Coleman was involved in a trespassing incident on Phelan's Hazelgrove Farm on 24 February 2022, during which Phelan shot Coleman's dog and then fired three shots from a handgun, killing Keith Conlon. Phelan was acquitted of murder after a 10‑week trial that ended on 3 January. Coleman failed to appear on 30 October, leading to a warrant and his arrest last week. The Director of Public Prosecutions has informed the court that Coleman faces contempt proceedings before Ms Justice Lankford, who is currently conducting a trial in Cork.
Christopher Connaughton, a 45‑year‑old painter and decorator from Enniscorthy, was sentenced to four years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his role as the 'warehouse man' in a €726,000 cannabis shipment. He pleaded guilty on 18 July 2023 to possession of cannabis herb and resin after Customs and Gardaí seized two pallets at a Greenhills Industrial Estate warehouse. Connaughton signed for the delivery under a false name, unloaded the drugs, and took the pallets to a Tallaght warehouse where further searches uncovered the full value of the drugs. He admitted his involvement, claiming he acted to pay a drug debt, and stated he had no financial interest in the shipment. His only prior conviction was for drink driving. The judge noted his low‑to‑middle level involvement and imposed the four‑year sentence, citing mitigation but also the substantial drug amount.
Law professor Diarmuid Phelan, aged 56, was acquitted of murder after a ten‑week trial at the Central Criminal Court. The jury, after six hours and 51 minutes of deliberation over two days, found that Phelan acted in self‑defence when he fired three warning shots at trespassers on his farm. The prosecution had argued that the third shot, fired with the gun pointed toward Keith Conlon, intended to kill or seriously injure him. Phelan maintained that he had no intention to kill and that the fatal shot was accidental, caused by stress‑related misalignment and Conlon's movement uphill. The jury rejected the State's case, concluding that Phelan's belief in an imminent attack and the force used were reasonable under the circumstances. Phelan left the courtroom free, while Conlon's family expressed hurt and disappointment at the verdict. The judge thanked the jurors and exempted them from further service for life. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court trial of Diarmuid Phelan, the jury heard extensive background evidence regarding repeated trespassing and criminal damage at his Hazelgrove farm in West Dublin. The defence argued that understanding the defendant's history was essential to contextualizing the events of February 24, 2022. Testimony detailed numerous incidents, including arson, vehicle theft, and assaults, which Phelan reported to gardai. Specific attention was given to a 2017 District Court case involving three young men, including Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan, who were accused of trespassing. Although the source text notes that three individuals were previously convicted of trespassing and criminal damage in that earlier matter, the current trial focused on the subsequent murder charge against Phelan. The defence highlighted that Phelan had been threatened by these individuals in court, leading to his fear of returning. The trial also examined the context of badger baiting, an illegal activity, which Phelan allegedly encountered when he shot a dog he believed was threatening his livestock. The jury was presented with Phelan's account of the confrontation that followed, where he claimed the men emerged from the bushes and screamed at him. The proceedings emphasized the long-standing conflict between Phelan and local trespassers, with the defence urging jurors to consider the cumulative impact of these alleged crimes on the defendant's state of mind.
Diarmuid Phelan, a law professor and farmer, was accused of murdering Keith Conlon by shooting him in the back of the head on his farm. During a March 2022 High Court bail hearing, the State opposed release, citing flight risk. Phelan, appearing via video-link from Cloverhill Prison, denied any intention to evade justice. The court heard he held significant assets, including farms in Wexford and Tallaght, and was a US citizen. Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy refused bail, finding him a serious flight risk with a powerful incentive to evade justice. Phelan subsequently appealed to the Court of Appeal. Mr Justice George Birmingham noted Phelan had left the High Court judge "totally in the dark" regarding his finances. The Court of Appeal granted bail, requiring a personal bond of €50,000 and an independent surety of €50,000. Phelan's murder trial later opened before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford. He did not take the stand to give evidence in his defence. The prosecution suggested he was a skilled shooter, while his defence included a US firearms expert. The report details his professional background, financial arrangements, and the procedural history of his bail application and subsequent trial proceedings.
A jury has paused its deliberations for the New Year and will resume on Friday to decide the verdict in the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who denies murdering a trespasser on his Tallaght farm. The jury, consisting of nine men and three women, has spent four hours and two minutes considering the case. Judge Siobhan Lankford reminded the jurors to remain silent about the case until their return and to be unanimous in their verdict. She explained the three possible verdicts—guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty—and outlined the paths the jury may take based on intent, self‑defence, and the reasonableness of force. Phelan, 56, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, who was shot on February 24, 2022, after trespassing on Phelan's property.
A jury is set to begin deliberations on the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who denies killing a trespasser on his Tallaght farm. Judge Siobhan Lankford has delivered her charge to the 12 jurors, who will start deliberating at 10 am tomorrow. The trial, which began on 12 December, has been delayed by juror unavailability and extended beyond its original six‑week schedule. Phelan, 56, is charged with murdering Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, who was shot in the back of the head on 24 February 2022. The prosecution alleges Phelan fired a loaded revolver at Conlon, while the defence claims the shot was accidental. The jury will consider whether Phelan's conduct was objectively dangerous and whether self‑defence applies, with possible verdicts of guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. The jury will return to the Central Criminal Court at 10 am on Tuesday to begin deliberations.
A man described as middle management in a significant drug operation has been sentenced to seven years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Philip Lawless, aged 48 and from Leixlip, County Kildare, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and cocaine worth over €3.18 million for sale or supply at two Dublin locations on 3 April 2024. Gardaí conducted surveillance operations last April, tracking vehicles to a storage unit in Ballymount, Tallaght, and a subsequent stop on Beresford Street, Dublin 7. Searches uncovered substantial quantities of drugs at both locations. Phone analysis revealed Lawless was directing the activity of two other men, with one having saved his contact as "boss man". Evidence indicated he received instructions from a person further up the operation's hierarchy. Judge Dara Hayes imposed a headline sentence of twelve and a half years, reduced to eight and a half years, with the final eighteen months suspended. Lawless must engage with the Probation Service upon release.
The Court of Appeal has increased the prison terms for Adam Murphy and Keith McCormick-Smith, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and multiple vehicle thefts. The court ruled that their original sentences were unduly lenient. Murphy, who admitted to manslaughter and seven other offences committed in a spree in Dublin on January 23, 2022, had his combined sentence raised from nine and a half years to 12 years. The Court of Appeal found that the sentencing judge erred in principle by fully suspending the two-and-a-half-year consecutive sentence for the theft offences. The court imposed four years for the unauthorised taking counts, consecutive to the manslaughter term, resulting in a total of 12 years after reductions and a six-month suspension. McCormick-Smith, who also pleaded guilty to the same theft charges plus possession of stolen property, saw his sentence more than double from two years and two months to five years. The court determined that the original headline sentence was a substantial departure from the norm. It imposed two consecutive four-year sentences for the thefts, reduced to six years, with the final 12 months suspended. Both men were convicted of leaving a victim, Ian McDonnell, to die after he was thrown from a stolen car during the crime spree.
The State has withdrawn the attempted murder charge against Philip Cox, a 40‑year‑old man, after a second Central Criminal Court jury failed to reach a verdict. The charge was dropped following a nolle prosequi entered by the Director of Public Prosecutions, as the judge noted the high standard required to prove an attempted murder, which demands proof of both an attempt to kill and an intention to kill. Cox had pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, but had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and the production of a knife. The judge directed that the case proceed to a sentence hearing on the three remaining charges, with Cox remanded in custody until the hearing on 20 January. The victim, Ms O'Brien, expressed satisfaction with the decision, and the judge highlighted the difficulty juries face in proving the specific intent required for attempted murder.
In a Central Criminal Court case, Mr Justice Tony Hunt explained the difficulty of deliberating on an attempted murder charge after a second jury of 12 failed to reach a verdict. The case involved 40‑year‑old Philip Cox, who had stabbed his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, twice with three knives. Cox pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and knife production. The jury deliberated for seven hours over three days, then for five hours after the judge offered a majority verdict option. When no ten‑member majority emerged, the judge declared the jury deadlocked and discharged them, noting the high standard of proof required for attempted murder. He advised the jury not to reproach themselves and highlighted that the case was highly contentious, with the outcome dependent on the Director of Public Prosecutions. The judge thanked the panel and wished them a happy Christmas, exempting them from service for ten years.
Paul Bourke, aged 56, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to eight counts, including possession of cocaine for sale, possession of €18,100 in cash from criminal proceeds, and possession of three Glock 17 pistols. The offences occurred across several locations: his home in Tullyvolty, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny; Ballygall Parade, Finglas, Co Dublin; Tallaght, Co Dublin; and Ashbourne, Co Meath. On 3 November 2023, Bourke was arrested in Finglas after a Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau operation, following a confidential tip‑off. He was observed leaving his Kilkenny home in a transit van, dropping packages in Tallaght, Ashbourne and Finglas, where each package was seized and the recipients arrested. The Tallaght package contained just over €70,000 of cocaine; the Ashbourne and Finglas packages each held over €17,000 of cocaine. In Finglas, his van contained €18,100 in cash.
The jury for the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who denies murdering trespasser Keith 'Bono' Conlon, will take a long break and will not deliberate until after Christmas. The jury, made up of nine men and three women, had previously informed the judge that they were unavailable to attend the Central Criminal Court on several dates, including December 22 and 23. Judge Siobhan Lankford explained that the trial had already run nine weeks, longer than the initial six‑week estimate, and that the jurors could return to work during the break if they wished. She will resume the charge on December 30 and will summarise the prosecution and defence cases then, giving the jurors a document outlining the legal questions they must consider before reaching a verdict. The case remains at the trial stage, with the jury yet to decide on the murder charge against Mr Phelan. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Judge Siobhan Lankford finished a three‑hour evidence summary for a jury of twelve in the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, who denies killing Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, on his Tallaght farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, pleaded not guilty. The judge instructed the jury to decide whether the State proved it was not reasonably possible that Phelan unintentionally struck a trespasser with a third shot from his revolver, and to consider self‑defence if the jury found intent to kill or seriously injure. She explained the jury could return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, 56‑year‑old law professor Diarmuid Phelan denies murdering Keith 'Bono' Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four, on his Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. The presiding judge, Justice Siobhan Lankford, informs the 12‑member jury that the trial, originally expected to last six weeks, has entered its ninth week and will continue into the tenth. She reminds jurors that they must decide whether the State has proven that Phelan could not have unintentionally hit Conlon with a third shot from his revolver. If they find intent to kill or seriously injure, they must also consider the defendant's claim of self‑defence. The judge outlines the three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
Thomas Finnegan, 36, of Tallaght, was found guilty by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of assault causing serious harm and the production of an article in the form of a guitar at an Applegreen service station on 22 June 2023. The attack left the victim blind in his left eye, with the eye shrunken and the loss of sight likely permanent. CCTV footage showed Finnegan striking the victim with a guitar after a brief departure from the scene. Finnegan has 38 prior convictions, including assault, criminal damage, public order and road traffic offences. Judge Jonathan Dunphy sentenced him to nine years for the assault, suspending the final eighteen months, and to three and a half years for the article, suspending the final twelve months; both sentences run concurrently. He will be supervised by probation services for two years after release. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of his arrest.
In a murder trial, the jury is instructed to decide whether the State has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that law professor Diarmuid Phelan intended to kill or seriously injure the trespasser Keith Conlon. The judge explains that Phelan, a 56‑year‑old barrister and farmer, fired three shots from his revolver after trespassers allegedly threatened him. The prosecution argues two shots were warning shots and the third struck Conlon in the back of the head, implying intent. The defence contends the third shot was accidental, a result of stress and misalignment. The jury may return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. The judge also notes that if Phelan's self‑defence claim is upheld, the jury must consider whether the force used was reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances. The charge will continue tomorrow.
Stephen Tynan (46) and Raymond Fitzgerald (41) have appealed their convictions for the murder of Andrew Guerrine, Tynan's cousin, who was stabbed 20 times in May 2015. The appeal argues that both men were only accessories after the fact, not principals. Tynan's counsel claims another person was involved in a drug transaction and that Tynan only assisted after the murder. Fitzgerald's counsel challenges the admissibility of CCTV footage and Automatic Number Plate Recognition evidence, arguing the system's accuracy is unproven. They also contest a voluntary caution statement taken in June 2015, asserting it was not given under custody and therefore inadmissible. The court has reserved judgment on these grounds. The appeal is heard in the Central Criminal Court, with the original convictions based on circumstantial evidence linking the defendants to the murder vehicle and location. The case remains pending. Stephen Tynan pleaded not guilty. Raymond Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty.
Law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, is on trial for the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who died on Phelan's farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, pleaded not guilty. The case centres on an incident where three trespassers—Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan—were hunting on a wooded area of Phelan's land. Phelan allegedly fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver after shouting at the trespassers to leave. The prosecution argues two shots were warning shots and the third, aimed at Conlon's back, was intended to kill or seriously injure him. The defence contends Phelan fired accidental warning shots, that he was acting in self‑defence against an imminent threat, and that he had not failed to observe safety procedures. The jury heard evidence of the trespassers' knowledge of Phelan's firearm, the timing of the shots, and the circumstances of the shooting.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, defence counsel Sean Guerin SC argued that the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan centred on emotion, specifically fear and anger, rather than intent to kill. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to the fatal shooting of 36‑year‑old Keith Conlon on his Tallaght farm on 24 February 2022. The prosecution contended that Phelan fired three shots, two in the air and a third that struck Conlon in the back of the head while he was turning away, indicating intent to kill. Guerin maintained that the shots were warning shots, that Phelan did not intend to hit Conlon, and that the incident was a reaction to trespassers and a hunting dog on the property. He urged the jury to consider the emotional context and the lack of pre‑planned intent in assessing Phelan's actions. The case remains at the trial stage.
The murder trial of Diarmuid Phelan, 56, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Phelan, a barrister and farmer, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, at Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on February 24, 2022. In closing submissions, State Counsel Roisin Lacey SC argued that Phelan's actions constituted a disproportionate response to a verbal conflict. The prosecution contends that Phelan intended to kill or cause serious injury when he fired a Smith & Wesson revolver at Conlon, who was allegedly turning away to leave. Lacey highlighted testimony from farmhand Pierre Godreu, who described the third, fatal shot as being fired in a different direction than the initial warning shots, suggesting intent. The State emphasized that Conlon was a trespasser engaged in alleged badger baiting, but cautioned the jury that the deceased was not on trial for his criminal behavior. The jury heard evidence that Phelan shouted at Conlon and another man, Kallum Coleman, before firing. Coleman, a key witness, failed to attend trial after leaving the country. The matter remains at the trial stage, with the jury yet to deliver a verdict.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Diarmuid Phelan, a barrister and law lecturer, is ongoing. Phelan, 56, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, at Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on February 24, 2022. The prosecution, led by Roisin Lacey SC, argued in her closing speech that Phelan's actions were a disproportionate response to a purely verbal conflict. The State alleges that after Conlon and two others trespassed on the property, Phelan fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver; the prosecution contends the third shot was intentionally aimed at Conlon, who was shot in the back of the head while turning to leave. Conversely, the defence maintains that Phelan accidentally hit Conlon while firing warning shots. Evidence from farmhand Pierre Godreu described the initial altercation as oral and noted that the third shot was fired in a different direction than the first two. Another witness, Hannah Felgner, stated the conflict was verbal and that the trespassers intended to call gardai rather than use physical violence. The jury of nine men and three women is currently hearing the final submissions, with the matter remaining at the trial stage.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 35‑year‑old Gareth McGrath pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on two occasions (29 July and 8 August 2023) and to threatening to kill a former girlfriend and intimidating her to withdraw a Garda complaint between 14 and 23 August 2023. McGrath, who has 15 prior convictions, was present for sentencing via video link from prison. The victim, who met McGrath during residential addiction treatment, described a brief relationship that turned violent. She reported being punched, thrown to the ground, and cut on the breast with a butter knife, sustaining head injuries, a bruised ear, a hearing deficit, a forehead bump and a chest puncture. She said McGrath pressured her to retract her complaint, but she ultimately maintained her statement. The judge adjourned sentencing to early next year to allow a probation report to be prepared.
A 33-year-old man from Claremorris, County Mayo, has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment, suspended in full, after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. James Glynn was apprehended in November 2023 following a garda surveillance operation in Tallaght, Dublin, during which officers observed him receiving a suitcase containing 10.7 kilograms of cannabis valued at approximately €215,000. During interview, Glynn disclosed that he had accumulated a €1,000 drug debt whilst relocating from Dublin to Mayo. When he later sought to settle this obligation, he was informed the amount had escalated to €26,000, with additional "tax" imposed. He agreed to transport the drugs to repay the inflated debt under duress. Judge Pauline Codd noted the circumstances as exceptional, describing it as extraordinary that a modest debt could multiply so dramatically at the discretion of higher-level drug traffickers. The sentence includes 12 months' probation supervision and mandatory continuation of counselling.
In an appeal hearing, Keith McCormick (23) of La Touche Drive, Bluebell, Dublin 12 and Riverview, Church Road, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, who pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on May 12, 2020, and other charges including burglary, unlawful use of a vehicle, possession of stolen property, and driving without a licence or insurance between September 2020 and May 2021, had his sentence reviewed. McCormick, who has 44 previous convictions, was previously sentenced in February to a three-year and two-month prison term with the final 12 months suspended for his role in a series of offences on January 23, 2022, during which a man died. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a global sentence of six years and six months, suspending the final 15 months on strict conditions, including keeping the peace and being of good behaviour for two years and engaging with the Probation Service for 12 months upon release. Adam Murphy (23) of Cherry Orchard Crescent, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was handed a 12-year sentence with the final two-and-a-half years suspended on strict conditions. The matter was adjourned for further consideration.
The defence has closed its case after seven weeks of evidence in the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who denies murdering trespasser Keith 'Bono' Conlon on his farm in Tallaght. Evidence was given that Phelan had reported constant, aggressive trespassers who would not disperse when asked and had said "we will do whatever the f**k we like". A gate on Phelan's land had been spray‑painted with "RIP Bono" in relation to Conlon's death. Phelan, 56, a barrister and farmer, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Conlon, 36, who was shot on February 22, 2022, and died two days later. The jury heard that on the day in question three men – Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan – had trespassed on a wooded area of Phelan's land while hunting. Phelan is alleged to have shouted at two unarmed trespassers to "get back" before firing three shots from his Smith & Wesson revolver.
During the trial of Diarmuid Phelan, a law professor and farmer, the court heard that a dog warden for South Dublin County Council testified that farmers are fully within their rights to shoot loose dogs that are worrying sheep. The witness explained that a dog that is free and poses a threat to livestock can be shot, and that the farmer must report the discharge to the gardai. Phelan, who is accused of murdering Keith 'Bono' Conlon, denied that he killed the trespasser and said he had shot a loose dog he believed posed a risk to his sheep. He claimed he had only fired warning shots and that the incident occurred after trespassing men threatened him. The jury heard that Phelan had fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver at the trespassers, one of whom was Conlon, who later died from a head wound. The trial continues with further witnesses for the defence. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
Brian McKee, 29, pleaded guilty to arson that set fire to his partner's family home on 27 July 2018, causing that house and two adjoining terraced houses to be demolished. The fire began on a couch in the living room and spread through the attic, where furniture had been stored, igniting the neighbouring houses. McKee, who had recently stopped drinking, admitted drinking a can of Coors Light and gin and possibly taking cocaine before the incident. He was found outside the house at 5 am, covered in blood, holding a knife, and later detained by Gardaí. The court heard victim impact statements from the owners of the damaged houses, detailing loss of belongings, financial hardship and emotional distress. McKee's defence highlighted his bipolar disorder, past rehabilitation and lack of prior convictions. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a seven‑year prison sentence, suspending six years on conditions including engagement with addiction services and full cooperation with his mental‑health care plan.
In the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, a defence psychologist explained that Phelan's decision to fire warning shots at trespassers on his Tallaght farm was a reasonable response to an imminent threat and the limited time for decision making. The psychologist described the dynamics of firearm use, noting that the intentional firing of a Smith & Wesson revolver over the heads of intruders perceived as a threat could result in an unintentional strike. He highlighted the difficulty of accurate shooting with a double‑action revolver under stress, the short barrel's tendency to misalign, and the rapid trigger pull. The expert concluded that Phelan's actions were consistent with the standards of reasonable force, intended to warn before using deadly force, and that the third shot unintentionally struck Keith Conlon, who later died from a head wound. The trial continues before a jury and a judge. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of Diarmuid Phelan, a 56‑year‑old law lecturer and farmer, the prosecution has finished presenting its evidence. Phelan denies murdering Keith Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four, who was shot on Phelan's farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. The prosecution's case, presented by Roisin Lacey SC, alleges that on the day in question three men – Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan – trespassed on a wooded area of Phelan's land while hunting. Phelan is said to have shouted at the trespassers to "get back" before firing three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver. The defence has called firearms expert Curtis Marshall to testify about the revolver's characteristics and the effect of stress on shooting accuracy. The trial will continue tomorrow before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury of nine men and three women. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
Brian O'Neill, a truck driver for Total Highway Maintenance Ltd, was dismissed after he left a load of concrete in a lorry overnight, causing it to harden and become unusable. O'Neill had been instructed to bring the concrete to Tallaght, but the customer only needed a third of the load. He returned to the Kilkenny depot with the excess concrete, claiming he was exhausted after 15 hours and intended to clean the lorry the next day. The company's manager, Mr L, terminated his employment the following evening, citing the incident as the final straw. O'Neill had previously received two formal warnings for speeding and safety concerns. A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator found the dismissal procedurally lacking but concluded O'Neill should have known it could lead to dismissal. The tribunal awarded him €2,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal.
Gareth O'Neill, 25, of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to threatening to "blow up" the homes of his ex‑partner's mother and grandmother on a November 2020 incident. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where O'Neill's partner's mother intervened, leading to O'Neill's threat and subsequent apology. The victim feared the threat but did not give a victim impact statement. O'Neill has 11 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences. His defence counsel, Sarah Jane O'Callaghan BL, presented evidence of remorse, an apology letter, and his stable employment. Judge Orla Crowe accepted mitigating factors, imposed a 12‑month sentence, and suspended it in full for two years under strict conditions, warning that any further offence would bring the case back before the courts.
In an appeal hearing, the case of Keith McCormick (23) of La Touche Drive, Bluebell, Dublin 12 and Riverview, Church Road, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, who pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on May 12, 2020, and other charges including burglary, unlawful use of a vehicle, possession of stolen property and driving without a licence or insurance between September 2020 and May 2021, was adjourned for finalisation on November 27. McCormick, also known as McCormick-Smith, has 44 previous convictions. In February, he was handed a three-year and two-month prison sentence with the final 12 months suspended for his role in a series of offences on January 23, 2022, during which a man died. Co-accused Adam Murphy (23) of Cherry Orchard Crescent, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was handed a 12-year sentence with the final two-and-a-half years suspended on strict conditions. The matter was adjourned for finalisation on November 27. The court heard that McCormick's earliest current release date is June 2027. Probation and psychological reports were handed to the court, and the defence asked the court to consider the principles of proportionality and totality when imposing sentence.
A law professor, Diarmuid Phelan, aged 56, is on trial for the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who died from a gunshot wound to the head after an incident at Phelan's farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister and farmer, claims he fired his revolver in the air over trespassers and was stunned when one man fell. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial has heard evidence that three men – Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan – were trespassing while hunting. Phelan's shooting record is cited: bronze medals in three pistol competitions (B class) and a gold in a bench‑rest rifle event between 2011 and 2013. The prosecution alleges the third shot was aimed at Conlon, who was shot in the back of the head. The case will continue tomorrow before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan was convicted.
A law professor, Mr Diarmuid Phelan, aged 56, denies murdering Keith Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four, who died from a gunshot wound to the head after a fatal shooting at Phelan's Hazelgrove Farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, has pleaded not guilty. The Central Criminal Court heard that on 1 June 2016 Phelan was confronted by six trespassers on his land; he retreated to his jeep, but rocks were thrown, damaging the windscreen. Four intruders were charged with trespassing and criminal damage; three were convicted. In March 2017, after Phelan gave evidence, the three men banged on the courtroom exit, made threatening gestures—one mimicked a gun, another a throat cut, the third clenched a fist—and stoned Phelan. Phelan was terrified and feared further attack. The three men pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace; one received custodial time, the others received suspended sentences.
A jury heard "upsetting and difficult" animal‑attack videos taken from the phone of Keith Conlon, a trespasser shot dead on law professor Diarmuid Phelan's farm. The videos, shown to the jury, depict dogs – a lurcher and a terrier – fighting squirrels, mauling a badger, and shaking a dead fox. One clip shows a dog trained to attack a live kitten, with men encouraging the pup to bite. The footage was shared via WhatsApp among Conlon, Kallum Coleman and others. The prosecution argued the videos illustrate a pattern of violent hunting. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Conlon, 36, who died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The trial continues with the jury hearing evidence of the shooting and the alleged self‑defence claim. The case remains at the jury stage.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced three members of the Wall family for a burglary in Killiney, south Dublin, on February 19, 2021, where they stole €19,800 in gold jewellery from an elderly couple. Edward Wall (52), Martin Wall (45), and Patrick Wall (21) pleaded guilty to the offence. The court heard the men used a modified vehicle to aid the crime, with Edward and Martin acting as lookouts while Patrick and an accomplice entered the home. All property was returned. Judge Elva Duffy jailed Edward and Martin for four years each, finding them active participants in a joint enterprise. Patrick was sentenced to three-and-a-half years, with the final 12 months suspended. The judge declined to apply compensation, stating it would not restore the victims' peace of mind. Patrick Wall had previously pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property after gardaí captured him digging up almost €80,000 buried in coffee jars in a suburban Dublin field. The defendants have extensive criminal records, including prior convictions for burglary and possession of stolen property. Counsel for the defendants cited personal hardships and the benefit of guilty pleas, but the judge imposed custodial sentences reflecting the pre-planned nature of the offence and the defendants' histories.
The murder trial of Diarmuid Phelan, 56, continues before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Phelan, a barrister and farmer, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Keith Conlon, 36, at Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on February 24, 2022. The State alleges that Phelan shot Conlon in the back of the head with a Smith & Wesson revolver as Conlon turned away to leave, intending to kill or cause serious injury. Conversely, the defence asserts the shooting was an accidental result of a legitimate act of self-defence. State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers testified that Conlon died from a single gunshot wound to the head, with no contributory factors. She agreed with defence counsel that the bullet's track alone cannot determine the victim's position relative to the shooter, as head movement could account for the wound's location. She also noted that an uncontrolled fall of 3.2 metres could explain Conlon's clavicle fracture. Defence counsel presented evidence of prior incidents at the farm, including arson and trespass, to contextualise the accused's concerns. The prosecution maintains that Phelan fired three shots, two into the air and one at Conlon. The trial is ongoing and has not been finalised.
In a murder trial at Tallaght, State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers testified that a deformed lead projectile measuring 0.8 cm was recovered from the head of Keith Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four who died on 24 February 2022 after being shot on the farm of barrister Diarmuid Phelan. Okkers described the bullet's trajectory, noting it entered 3 cm behind Conlon's right ear and 5 cm above it, and that the entry wound was 1.64 cm above the unshod heel. She reported no soot or powder tattooing around the wound, indicating a distance of more than one metre between shooter and victim. The pathologist also detailed a CT scan showing a complete fracture of the right parietal bone and multiple metallic fragments in the brain. Phelan, 56, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Conlon, who was shot in the back of the head while turning away to leave.
Mark Davis, 35, with 207 prior convictions and a 20‑year driving ban, pleaded guilty to stealing a DPD delivery van in Jobstown on 4 December 2023 and to stealing 66 packages worth €901 and driving without a licence on the same day. During a court hearing, the judge heard that Davis, while driving past the victim, told him, "I'll leave the van 'round in that estate," and that the van was later found parked with its engine running and most of the packages missing. Davis also admitted to driving without a licence, hit‑and‑runs, dangerous driving and other offences. He was remanded on continuing bail, with the judge expressing concern that imprisonment would disrupt the progress he has made and that he would be exposed to drugs in custody. The case is set to resume on 10 March.
In the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, the jury heard that 23‑year‑old Kallum Coleman, who had agreed to testify, booked a one‑way ticket to Spain and was hiding in a hotel when a bench warrant was issued. Gardaí attempted to locate him at his family address and other acquaintances' addresses but found no trace. They later identified him in Marbella, where he was "holing up." While Gardaí were stopping for refreshments en route to the airport, Coleman exited the car and fled, refusing to cooperate with the courts. The defence counsel, Michael Bowman, described Coleman's "change of heart" and his decision to "leg it." The trial also covered Phelan's 2017 trespassing case, where threats were made against him in court, and the circumstances of the 2022 shooting that killed Keith Conlon. The case continues before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
A jury heard that law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, denied murdering Keith Conlon, 36, on his farm in Tallaght. Phelan said he was terrified when three men appeared on his land and that he fired his revolver in self‑defence, claiming the shots were aimed at the men, not at Conlon. He described the men as threatening him and said he had tried to retreat but was forced to shoot. Phelan also alleged that his farm had been subject to burglary, drug use, armed men and arson, and that Gardaí had not responded promptly to earlier incidents. He said he had given the revolver to Gardaí and that he was under immense stress. The trial is ongoing before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
Tanya Kirwan, 40, of Killisk, The Ballagh, Co. Wexford, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm on 22 February 2021, when she struck 88‑year‑old Laurence 'Larry' Leacy. The collision left Leacy with spinal fractures, a fractured tibia, a lacerated scalp and kidney failure, and he later died of a respiratory tract infection. Kirwan was initially sentenced by Judge James McCourt at Wexford Circuit Court on 7 July 2022 to a one‑year suspended sentence and a four‑year driving ban. The Court of Appeal, hearing on 11 November 2024, found the four‑year ban was a discretionary order mis‑interpreted as mandatory. It quashed the original ban and imposed a two‑year, four‑month disqualification, back‑dated to 7 July 2022, while keeping the one‑year suspended sentence. Kirwan's car was in good condition, she was not intoxicated, and she had returned to work after lunch before the incident.
A law professor, Diarmuid Phelan, 56, denies murdering an unarmed trespasser in a fatal shooting at his farm. He told Gardaí he was terrified when three men "exploded" out of bushes on his land, screaming and roaring, and threatened him about who had shot their dog. Phelan said he shouted at the men to stay back, but they kept coming and he believed they were coming to fulfil the threats they had made. He claimed he had taken powder from a first‑aid bag and put it on the back of the deceased's head to stop the bleeding, although none of the trespassers were members of the Travelling Community. Phelan has pleaded not guilty to murdering Keith Conlon, 36, at Hazelgrove Farm, Tallaght, on 24 February 2022. Evidence shows Phelan fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver; the State alleges two shots were fired into the air and the third struck Conlon in the back of the head.
During the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, a ballistics expert explained that firing a warning shot carries inherent dangers because the projectile can travel and hit unintended targets. The expert noted that factors such as farm terrain, the trespassers' movement, and Phelan's state of mind on the day of the shooting would negatively affect his ability to aim and control the firearm. Evidence showed Phelan shouted at two unarmed trespassers to "get back" before firing three shots from his Smith & Wesson revolver. The State claimed two shots were fired into the air and the third struck Keith Conlon in the back of the head as he turned away. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to murdering Conlon, 36, who died on 24 February 2022 at Hazelgrove Farm, Tallaght. The trial continues before a jury.