Timothy Walker Pleads Guilty to Bangor Murder

A 43-year-old man from County Down has confessed to the murder of his partner’s cousin. Timothy Walker was scheduled to commence trial at Downpatrick Crown Court on Monday, but instead, his defence lawyer requested that he be rearraigned. Mr. Walker, originally from Abbey Ring in Holywood but currently residing at HMP Maghaberry, entered a guilty plea to the murder of Denis Curtis Shearer, aged 25, which took place in Bangor on March 9, 2021. The judge imposed a life sentence, with the minimum term, or tariff, to be determined next year. Mr. Walker assaulted Mr. Shearer at a property on Fernmore Road on February 28. He struck Mr. Shearer with a “blunt instrument” before leaving him with fatal injuries. Mr. Shearer subsequently died in hospital on March 9. Natalie Brannigan, Mr. Walker’s partner, who is from The Green in Holywood, was also rearraigned and admitted to assisting an offender. The court was informed that Ms. Brannigan collected Mr. Walker in the Glencairn area of north Belfast and drove him first to Holywood and then to Newtownards “in an effort to evade his detection and apprehension.” Earlier this year, Mr. Walker had submitted a guilty plea for “manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility,” but this was not accepted by the prosecution. During Monday’s court proceedings, legal representatives for both Mr. Walker and Ms. Brannigan requested an adjournment of sentencing to allow the probation board to complete pre-sentence reports. A prosecuting lawyer stated that the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) would also be obtaining victim impact statements from Mr. Shearer’s grieving relatives. Addressing Mr. Walker directly, the judge, Mr. Justice O’Hara, remarked: “It is more than three and a half years since you murdered Mr Shearer in his bed and you have now admitted your part in that offence.” He then imposed a life sentence, with a tariff to be fixed next year. Mr. Justice O’Hara cautioned Mr. Walker that the life licence implies that “you will be liable to be recalled to prison on any further criminality.” A defence lawyer asked for Ms. Brannigan to be released on bail. They emphasised that she has remained on bail without incident or breach since the event. The judge granted bail but clarified that this decision does not suggest she will avoid a prison sentence. The proceedings were postponed until February 2025.