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Judge completes evidence summary in law professor's murder trial

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, Judge Siobhan Lankford finished a three‑hour evidence summary for a jury of twelve in the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, who denies killing Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, on his Tallaght farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, pleaded not guilty. The judge instructed the jury to decide whether the State proved it was not reasonably possible that Phelan unintentionally struck a trespasser with a third shot from his revolver, and to consider self‑defence if the jury found intent to kill or seriously injure. She explained the jury could return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge completes evidence summary in law professor's murder trial. 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 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2024-12-11 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report