Lawyer accused of murder further remanded pending DPP directions

A lawyercharged with murdering a man in Dublin has been remanded in continuing custody as gardai seek formal directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Diarmuid Phelan (53), is accused of the murder of father of four Keith Conlon at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on February 22nd.

Last week, Mr Phelan, of Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, was remanded in custody.

Mr Conlon (36), a dog-groomer from Kiltalown Park in Tallaght, was severely injured in a shooting incident in the Hazelgrove area at the foot of the Dublin mountains.

He died at Tallaght University Hospital two days later.

Mr Phelan, a senior counsel and law lecturer, was arrested at the scene and charged with murder.

He faced his second hearing, via video link from prison, at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.

Judge Victor Blake noted the charge and said the court required the DPP's formal directions. However, the court sergeant said they had not been obtained yet and he asked for four weeks.

Defence counsel Eloise Flynn told Mr Phelan he could consent to the case going back that long or for a shorter period. He instructed his barrister to seek a two-week adjournment.

Judge Blake remanded him in custody to appear again on March 16th.

The district court does not have the jurisdiction in a murder case to consider bail, which requires a High Court application.