Trinity College Dublin Lecturer Acquitted of Murder: Will He Return to Work?
Trinity College Dublin is facing a dilemma following the recent acquittal of lecturer Diarmuid Rossa Phelan, 56, who was cleared of murder charges in the fatal shooting of Keith Conlon, 35. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Phelan will be allowed to resume his duties as an associate professor teaching European Union and Competition Law at the prestigious university.
What Happened?
The incident took place on Mr. Phelan’s property at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, South Dublin, in February 2022. Phelan claimed that he acted in self-defense when he shot Conlon, who, along with two others, trespassed on his land while engaging in illegal badger baiting. The court heard that Phelan, who had been teaching at Trinity College since 1994, was due to lecture on the day of the shooting.
Legal Proceedings and Outcome
During the trial, Phelan testified that he felt threatened by the trespassers and believed they intended to harm him. He fired three shots from his revolver, resulting in Conlon being critically injured and later dying in the hospital. Phelan’s defense argued that the fatal shot was accidental, attributing it to the stressful circumstances and Conlon’s movements.
Can He Return to Work?
While Phelan has been cleared of murder charges and can resume his duties as a senior barrister, Trinity College Dublin has not made a decision regarding his status as a lecturer. A spokesperson for the university stated that it is “premature” to comment on Phelan’s potential return to work, leaving the lecturer’s future at the institution uncertain.
As the university grapples with this decision, the case raises important questions about self-defense, property rights, and workplace implications for individuals involved in legal proceedings. The outcome of this situation will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences not only for Phelan but also for Trinity College Dublin and its academic community.
In the meantime, the public awaits further updates on this developing story and the potential impact it may have on the university’s faculty and students.