Man jailed for 15 years for murder of Denis Shearer

A man who killed his partner’s cousin by striking him up to nine times in the head has been jailed for 15 years.

Timothy Walker, 43, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry and who is originally from Abbey Ring in Holywood, murdered Denis Shearer in a “brutal and sustained attack”.

Mr Shearer was attacked at his home on 28 February 2021 and died in hospital nine days later.

Mr Justice O’Hara said “this was a brutal and sustained attack”.

“In fact, Mr Shearer’s injuries were so bad they were initially thought to be gun shot wounds.”

The court was told “[Walker] set out armed with a weapon and beat [Shearer] so hard he left blood all over the wall and bed”.

He said: “There was one simple truth. Walker drove to Mr Shearer’s house and murdered him causing terrible long-term damage to those who loved Denis Shearer.”

Natalie Brannigan, 42, from The Green in Holywood, admitted a charge of assisting offenders and was given a two-year sentence, suspended for two years.