Courts / Dublin / Report

Farmers 'perfectly within their rights' to shoot loose dogs on farms, law professor's murder trial hears

Date
2024-11-26

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

During the trial of Diarmuid Phelan, a law professor and farmer, the court heard that a dog warden for South Dublin County Council testified that farmers are fully within their rights to shoot loose dogs that are worrying sheep. The witness explained that a dog that is free and poses a threat to livestock can be shot, and that the farmer must report the discharge to the gardai. Phelan, who is accused of murdering Keith 'Bono' Conlon, denied that he killed the trespasser and said he had shot a loose dog he believed posed a risk to his sheep. He claimed he had only fired warning shots and that the incident occurred after trespassing men threatened him. The jury heard that Phelan had fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver at the trespassers, one of whom was Conlon, who later died from a head wound. The trial continues with further witnesses for the defence. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Farmers 'perfectly within their rights' to shoot loose dogs on farms, law professor's murder 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. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 24, 2022 Incident
February 22 Incident
February 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
2024-11-26 Publication

Case subjects

Diarmuid Phelan

Accused

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