Courts / Ireland / Report

Diarmuid Phelan Trial: What the Jury Didn't Hear

Summary

During a week‑long pre‑trial hearing in October, Diarmuid Phelan's defence objected to court artist Mike O'Donnell's sketching of the defendant, arguing that the defendant should not feel watched because of past threats. Sean Guerin SC requested that the court deny permission for a sketch, citing severe threats linked to organised crime. Prosecutor Roisin Lacey SC countered that the objection lacked legal basis and that the defendant's image was already public. O'Donnell said he had never been refused to draw a defendant since 2010 and claimed a constitutional right to earn a living. Justice Siobhan Lankford ruled that visual representations could be made and that a sketch would not increase risk. The judge noted that the jury already observes the defendant's every move, so an artist would not add burden. The hearing focused solely on the admissibility of a courtroom sketch and the defendant's right to privacy during trial.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Diarmuid Phelan Trial: What the Jury Didn't Hear. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• November 21 Incident
• December 31 Incident
• January 3 Incident
• November 28 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 22, 2022 Other
• February 22 Other
• December 10 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-01-03 Publication

Why: He was aware there could be no video but presumed that, because there were reporters in court and the DAR was on, that he could record what was going on," Ms Lacey said. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report