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Law professor seeks costs after being acquitted of murder
Summary
Diarmuid Phelan, a law lecturer and barrister, was acquitted of murder after a 10‑week trial that concluded on 3 January 2025. The case involved a shooting at Hazelgrove Farm, Tallaght, where Phelan fired three shots at trespassers on his land. The third shot struck Keith Conlon in the head, killing him. Phelan claimed the fatal shot was accidental and that he acted in self‑defence. A jury found him not guilty. Following the trial, Michael Bowman SC, one of Phelan's senior counsel, requested that the court decide whether the State should pay Phelan's legal costs. The matter will be heard by Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford on 10 March. Phelan, who has assets in the millions, was represented by two senior and two junior counsel and did not receive legal aid. The case also involved expert witnesses who testified after the prosecution's case closed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Law professor seeks costs after being acquitted of murder. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 10th Hearing Or Sentence
- February 24, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 3 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-03-03 Publication
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