Courts / Dublin / Report

Trial of barrister accused of murder, set down 18 months ago, adjourned with 'considerable reluctance'

Date
2024-05-29
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Tallaght
County
Dublin

Summary

The Central Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of Diarmuid Phelan, a senior barrister accused of the murder of Keith Conlon. Phelan, 55, is charged with killing Conlon, 36, at Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght on February 22, 2022. Conlon died two days later at Tallaght University Hospital. The trial, originally scheduled to begin before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford, was delayed until October 7. Defence counsel Sean Guerin SC requested the adjournment, stating the case was not ready to proceed from the defence perspective. The prosecution, represented by Sean Gillane SC, expressed disappointment at the late application but did not oppose it. Ms Justice Lankford expressed considerable reluctance to delay the matter, noting the case had been listed for 18 months. She ordered a progress report on July 22 to ensure the trial proceeds in October. Phelan, who was present in court, was remanded on continuing bail until October. His bail was previously granted by the Court of Appeal after the High Court initially refused it, requiring two bonds of €50,000 each from Phelan and his sister.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Trial of barrister accused of murder, set down 18 months ago, adjourned with 'considerable reluctance'. Charges or matters: the murder of Keith Conlon (36) at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on February 22, 2022. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Diarmuid Phelan

Accused

Charges: the murder of Keith Conlon (36) at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on February 22, 2022 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Mr Phelan, who was present in court for today's brief hearing, was remanded on continuing bail until October.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • The Central Criminal Court
  • Central Criminal Court
  • High Court
  • Court of Appeal
Secondary Mention
Residence
Address Area
  • Kiltalown Lane
Incident
Facility
  • Tallaght University Hospital

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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