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'They kept coming': law professor told gardai he was 'terrified' by tresspassers

Summary

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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'They kept coming': law professor told gardai he was 'terrified' by tresspassers. Charges or matters: murdering father-of-four Keith Conlon (36) at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on February 24, 2022. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 24, 2022 Other
• February 23 Incident
• February 22 Incident
• 2024-11-11 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report