Courts / Dublin / Report
Murder accused law professor 'terrified' when threatened during previous court case, trial hears
Summary
A law professor, Mr Diarmuid Phelan, aged 56, denies murdering Keith Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four, who died from a gunshot wound to the head after a fatal shooting at Phelan's Hazelgrove Farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, has pleaded not guilty. The Central Criminal Court heard that on 1 June 2016 Phelan was confronted by six trespassers on his land; he retreated to his jeep, but rocks were thrown, damaging the windscreen. Four intruders were charged with trespassing and criminal damage; three were convicted. In March 2017, after Phelan gave evidence, the three men banged on the courtroom exit, made threatening gestures—one mimicked a gun, another a throat cut, the third clenched a fist—and stoned Phelan. Phelan was terrified and feared further attack. The three men pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace; one received custodial time, the others received suspended sentences.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused law professor 'terrified' when threatened during previous court case, trial hears. Charges or matters: murder. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 24, 2022 Incident
- February 22 Incident
- June 1 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 31 2017 Incident
- March 2016 Other
- March 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2017 Incident
- November 20 2021 Other
- July 2020 Incident
- 2024-11-19 Publication
Case subjects
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Tallaght
- Tallaght District Court
- Kiltalown Lane
- Kiltalown Park
- Tallaght University Hospital
- Tallaght
- Tallaght Courthouse
Topics
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