A man shot dead on a law professor’s farm convicted 12 years earlier of assaulting police officers – the murder trial reported – The Irish Times.

A man who died after being shot at a law professor’s farm was convicted 12 years earlier of assaulting a police officer whom he kicked in the head, a jury in a murder trial has heard.

Keith Conlon was 23 when he pleaded guilty to assault and 36 in February 2022 when he was shot dead on Diarmuid Phelan’s farm, said Sgt. Simon Whelan.

On Wednesday, the 10th day of 56-year-old Phelan’s trial, Sgt. Whelan was questioned. Mr Phelan has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Conlon at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on February 24, 2022.

The jury heard Conlon was one of three fox-hunting intruders at the farm on February 22, 2022. The prosecution allege that after Mr Phelan shot a dog belonging to one of the intruders, Kallum Coleman, words were exchanged with intruders. Phelan later fired two shots into the air with his revolver; a third shot pierced Mr. Conlon’s body and he was pronounced dead two days later.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Sgt. Whelan told Seán Guerin SC that in Mr Phelan’s case, he had been stationed in Tallaght for 12 years by February 2022 and knew Mr Conlon “on and off”.

When asked about the incident that occurred on January 26, 2010, Sgt. Whelan agreed that three Garda vehicles responded to the scene in Sandyford in response to a call about a suspected burglary and that following a pursuit, Conlon was arrested by other police.

He agreed that it was recorded that Mr Conlon became extremely aggressive and was restrained by two police officers, that Mr. Conlon kicked one of the officers in the head, had to be restrained when he tried to jump out of the police car, and later admitted burglary and assaulting the officers Guard.

While the case was being reconsidered, Sgt. Whelan agreed with Róisín Lacey SC, representing the DPP, that the assault occurred 12 years before the incident at Mr Phelan’s farm and Mr Conlon was 23 at the time of his conviction.

Det Garda Damian Reilly said that on February 22, 2022, he encountered Robin Duggan at the gates of Hazelgrove Farm. Mr. Duggan was very upset and reported that his friend Bono – Keith Conlon – had been shot. Kallum Coleman was with Mr. Duggan.

When he asked both men if they would give evidence, they replied that they were too shocked and upset to do so at this stage, but would do so later.

As he later sat next to Mr Phelan in the police car on the way to Tallaght Garda Station, Mr Phelan asked if he could wash his hands, which were “very bloody”, and also asked if the injured man was a Traveler.

Interviewed by Michael Bowman SC, Detective Garda Reilly said that Robin Duggan told him two or three days later that he had concerns about giving evidence, including a fear of being labeled a “rat”. He agreed that Mr Duggan never made any statement and refused to give his telephone number or the telephone he was using at the time.

The trial continues on Thursday.