Courts / Dublin / Report

Eyewitness tells murder trial that law prof discharged third shot 'toward' tresspasser

Date
2024-10-17

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

During the opening of Mr Diarmuid Phelan's murder trial, an eyewitness, farmhand Pierre Godreu, described the events on the Tallaght farm on 22 February 2022. Godreu said Phelan, who was 56, drew a pistol from his pocket and fired two shots into the air before discharging a third shot "towards" an unarmed trespasser, Keith Conlon, who was 36. Conlon was seriously injured and died two days later. Godreu testified that the trespassers were advancing and that Phelan had been "really pissed off" after a dog ran onto his land. He also said Phelan had told the trespassers to leave and that the third shot was fired in quick succession. The prosecution argues the third shot was aimed at Conlon, while the defence contends it was an accidental act of self‑defence. The trial is set to continue before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Eyewitness tells murder trial that law prof discharged third shot 'toward' tresspasser. Charges or matters: murdering Keith Conlon (36) at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on February 24, 2022. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 24, 2022 Incident
February 22 Incident
January 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
February 22, 2022 Other
2024-10-17 Publication

Why: He also remembered being told to work in pairs on the farm and to take walkie talkies with them because if there was any trouble or intruders present then they could use them to communicate with the accused. CNI source report