Jury in law professor’s murder trial suspended until tomorrow – The Irish Times

The jury at the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who denies the murder of a trespasser at his Co Dublin farm, has been suspended until tomorrow.

Lady Justice Siobhán Lankford told nine men and three women on Thursday that for reasons beyond her control, they had no business serving as jurors today.

He said the case was making good progress. The lawyer had told him that this was slightly ahead of schedule and that it was hoped to be completed within the predetermined six weeks.

Today was the eleventh day of the trial at the Central Criminal Court of Mr Phelan (56), who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Keith Conlon at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on 24 February 2022.

The jury found that Mr Conlon, 36, was one of three men hunting foxes on the farm on February 22, 2022.

The prosecution says Mr. Phelan shot a dog belonging to Kallum Coleman, a trespasser. Interviews with the trespassers followed. Mr. Phelan then fired two shots into the air with his pistol; A third shot entered Mr Conlon’s body and he was pronounced dead two days later.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Phelan had the necessary intent to murder.

The jury heard Mr Phelan told Gardaí he was “horrified” and believed he would “get me” if he had not reacted immediately.

The prosecution said it understood the defense case to be that Mr Phelan had the right to discharge his firearm as he did and that this was a legitimate act of self-defence not done with the intention of penetrating Mr Conlon’s body.

The trial will continue before the jury on Friday morning.