The defence has concluded its case in the Central Criminal Court trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who is charged with murdering Keith Conlon, a trespasser on his farm in Tallaght. Evidence suggested that Professor Phelan had reported aggressive trespassers who refused to leave his property.
Evidence given that defendant had reported constant, aggressive trespassers on his land who would not disperse and said ‘we will do whatever the f*** we like’ Law professor Diarmuid Phelan arriving recently at the Central Criminal Court , where he is pleading not guilty to murdering Keith Conlon , at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, in February 2022.
Photograph: Collins CourtsThe defence has closed its case after seven weeks of evidence in the Central Criminal Court trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who denies murdering a trespasser on his farm in Tallaght. Evidence was given on Wednesday that Mr Phelan had reported constant, aggressive trespassers on his land, who would not disperse when asked and had said “we will do whatever the f**k we like”. The trial also heard that a gate on Mr Phelan’s land had been spray painted with “a number of different expressions” including “RIP Bono” in relation to the death of trespasser and father-of-four Keith “Bono” Conlon. Mr Phelan , a leading barrister, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Conlon at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24, on February 24th, 2022. Mr Conlon, from Kiltalown Park in Tallaght, was seriously injured in the shooting incident on February 22nd and died from a single gunshot wound to the head at Tallaght University Hospital two days later. Who should you vote for in the 2024 general election? Use this tool to see which candidate matches your viewsCo-living can be used for Airbnb-style short lets due to loophole The jury has heard that on the day in question, three men – the deceased Keith Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan – had trespassed on a wooded area of Mr Phelan’s land while hunting foxes or badgers. Evidence has been given that the accused had shouted at two unarmed trespassers on his farm to “get back” before he fired three shots from his Smith & Wesson revolver. Mr Phelan maintains he accidentally hit Mr Conlon while firing “warning shots” during the confrontation. The defence on Wednesday called four further witnesses to testify in the case on behalf of Mr Phelan. Det Garda Maria Dennison confirmed with defence counsel that the accused had reported trespassing incidents on his land between 2015 and 2019, and he was told by a garda “not to approach any trespassers”. Gardaí had “cleared” people from the accused’s land, including two men and a dog who said they were hunting on the land. Det Garda Dennison said a colleague believed Mr Phelan was happy for him to patrol his land as it might “alleviate the problem of trespassers”. The witness said the accused had reported to gardaí “constant trespassers” on his land, and that they were aggressive and would not clear when asked to, saying “we will do whatever the f**k we like”. Michael Bowman SC, defending, said a complaint was noted in the Garda Pulse system where another gate – the old golf club entrance – had been spray-painted with “a number of different expressions” including “RIP Bono” in relation to the passing of Mr Conlon and other matters of that nature. Supt Jason Miley confirmed to defence counsel that the accused was in the process of seeking to rent out the clubhouse for an annual rent of €18,000 before it was burnt down, and sheds in the lower yard for €8,000 per annum, including rates and insurance.Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford told the jurors she was sending them home until Monday and that this was all the evidence they were going to hear in the case. “The next phase of the case is speeches from counsel and me talking to you about the law,” she added. The trial continues next Monday before the judge and a jury of nine men and three women, when closing speeches will commence.Council plan to build 109 social homes near Luas stop faces High Court challenge Woman died by suicide after being committed to custody when she was unable to pay €100 bail, inquest hearsDistillery calls in receivers as it fails to raise fresh funding Taoiseach refuses to be drawn if Fine Gael claimed worker who confronted him had Sinn Féin allegianceThe Cure’s Robert Smith: ‘I wear lipstick, I’m 65. I’m not the person to stand up to say what’s wrong with the world’
Law Professor Murder Trial Central Criminal Court Trespassers Diarmuid Phelan Keith Conlon
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