Lawyer Charged with Killing Dog Breeder Granted £100,000 Bail

A court has heard that a prominent barrister, charged with the murder of a man in a farmland shooting incident in County Dublin, was freed from custody on Tuesday after posting bail of €100,000.

Diarmuid Phelan (53), a law professor, stands accused of murdering Keith Conlon, a father of four, on 22nd February at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght.

Mr Conlon, a dog breeder residing in Kiltalown Park, Tallaght, sustained critical injuries during an altercation in the Hazelgrove area, near the Dublin Mountains. The incident began with the shooting of Mr Conlon’s Dog. Mr Conlon was subsequently shot.

Emergency services, including the Gardaí (Irish police), were called to the scene shortly after 1 pm. Mr Conlon was swiftly transported to Tallaght University Hospital. He was placed on life support but, sadly, passed away two days later.

The High Court initially denied Mr Phelan bail in March. However, the Court of Appeal reversed this ruling last Friday. Bail conditions included a personal bond of €50,000, an additional independent surety of €50,000, and several other stipulations.

The case was heard today at Cloverhill District Court before Judge Victor Blake. Mr Phelan, a lecturer at Trinity College, was not required to be present.

Detective Garda Michael McGrath confirmed that Mr Phelan had been released after fulfilling his bail requirements on Tuesday.

Detective Garda McGrath requested a 12-week postponement to allow for formal instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He stated that all Garda witness statements had been collected, and a ballistics report was expected imminently. The investigation file, he added, was nearing completion and would be submitted to the DPP shortly.