Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury told 'upsetting' animal attack videos taken from shot trespasser's phone include footage of dogs attacking live kittens

Date
2024-11-18

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

A jury heard "upsetting and difficult" animal‑attack videos taken from the phone of Keith Conlon, a trespasser shot dead on law professor Diarmuid Phelan's farm. The videos, shown to the jury, depict dogs – a lurcher and a terrier – fighting squirrels, mauling a badger, and shaking a dead fox. One clip shows a dog trained to attack a live kitten, with men encouraging the pup to bite. The footage was shared via WhatsApp among Conlon, Kallum Coleman and others. The prosecution argued the videos illustrate a pattern of violent hunting. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Conlon, 36, who died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The trial continues with the jury hearing evidence of the shooting and the alleged self‑defence claim. The case remains at the jury stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury told 'upsetting' animal attack videos taken from shot trespasser's phone include footage of dogs attacking live kittens. Charges or matters: murdering father-of-four Keith 'Bono' Conlon (36) at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on February 24, 2022. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 24, 2022 Incident
February 22 Incident
October 31, 2021 Other
October 3, 2022 Other
February 9, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
January 29, 2022 Other
November 4, 2021 Other
November 2021 Incident
2024-11-18 Publication

Case subjects

Diarmuid Phelan

Defendant

Charges: murdering father-of-four Keith 'Bono' Conlon (36) at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on February 24, 2022 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty