Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder accused barrister is not 'Roman Abramovich', lawyers tell bail appeal

Date
2022-04-05

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

Diarmuid Rossa Phelan, an Associate Professor of Law at Trinity College and barrister, appealed a High Court decision refusing him bail pending his trial for the murder of Keith Conlon. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, adjourned the matter until Thursday. Mr Phelan is accused of fatally shooting Mr Conlon at Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght in February last. His defence counsel, Michael O'Higgins SC, argued that the High Court judge's refusal was based on an unfair assessment of flight risk and that his client's assets should not be frozen merely due to allegations, comparing the situation to that of Roman Abramovich. The defence proposed a €50,000 independent surety and a €50,000 cash lodgement. Mr Justice Birmingham requested a comprehensive financial statement detailing assets, liabilities, and income. The State's counsel, John Fitzgerald SC, countered that the High Court judge's ruling did not rely on the "red-handed" characterization and that the applicant had drip-fed information. The appeal was not concluded but adjourned to allow for further submissions and financial disclosures.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused barrister is not 'Roman Abramovich', lawyers tell bail appeal. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

February 22 Incident
2022-04-05 Publication

Why: Credit: Collins) Murder accused barrister Diarmuid Rossa Phelan is not Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and shouldn't have his assets frozen because "an allegation" has been made against him, his lawyers have argued at the Court of Appeal. CNI source report