Courts / Dublin / Report
Law professor accused of gun murder won medals in shooting competitions, trial hears
Summary
A law professor, Diarmuid Phelan, aged 56, is on trial for the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who died from a gunshot wound to the head after an incident at Phelan's farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister and farmer, claims he fired his revolver in the air over trespassers and was stunned when one man fell. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial has heard evidence that three men – Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan – were trespassing while hunting. Phelan's shooting record is cited: bronze medals in three pistol competitions (B class) and a gold in a bench‑rest rifle event between 2011 and 2013. The prosecution alleges the third shot was aimed at Conlon, who was shot in the back of the head. The case will continue tomorrow before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan was convicted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Law professor accused of gun murder won medals in shooting competitions, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering father-of-four Keith 'Bono' Conlon (36) at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on February 24, 2022; the offence in 2011 and received a €100 fine. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Convicted
When:
- February 24, 2022 Incident
- February 22 Incident
- May 1, 2011 Other
- July 2013 Other
- June 2013 Other
- 2011 and 2013 Other
- 2024-11-20 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering father-of-four Keith 'Bono' Conlon (36) at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on February 24, 2022; the offence in 2011 and received a €100 fine (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Kiltalown Lane
- Kiltalown Park
- Tallaght University Hospital
- Kallum Coleman at Tallaght Garda Station
- Tallaght
Topics
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