Courts / Dublin / Report

Top barrister accused of fatal shooting to appeal bail refusal

Date
2022-03-25

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

Diarmuid Rossa Phelan, a senior counsel aged 53, is appealing a High Court refusal of bail after being charged with the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who died two days after a fatal shooting on Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght on 22 February. Phelan, who teaches at Trinity College Dublin, argued that a bail refusal would ruin his life's work, but Justice Deirdre Murphy denied the application, citing a serious flight risk. She noted that Phelan's assets, including a 180‑acre farm in Tallaght and a 45‑acre farm in Wexford, were substantial and could be realised without state knowledge, and that he and his children are U.S. citizens, which could facilitate evasion. The Court of Appeal was informed that Phelan intends to appeal, and a hearing is scheduled for 5 April. The judge emphasised that the bail decision was based on the strength of evidence and the potential for flight.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Top barrister accused of fatal shooting to appeal bail refusal. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

February 22 Incident
April 5 Hearing Or Sentence
2022-03-25 Publication

Why: The judge explained that Mr Phelan has a "powerful incentive to evade justice" based on the seriousness of the charge, the strength of the evidence, the likely sentence and the ongoing threats to the accused. CNI source report

Case subjects

Diarmuid Rossa Phelan

Accused

Outcome: The judge explained that Mr Phelan has a "powerful incentive to evade justice" based on the seriousness of the charge, the strength of the evidence, the likely sentence and the ongoing threats to the accused.