Courts / Meath / Report

Gunman dressed as woman shot man 18 times at pigeon racing club, trial hears

Date
2017-06-20

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Ratoath

County
Meath

Summary

In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Christopher McDonald, aged 34, is charged with the killing of 36‑year‑old Keith Walker at Blanchardstown Pigeon Racing Club on 12 June 2015. According to barrister Denis Vaughan Buckley, Walker left his home with his six‑year‑old son, travelled to Whitestown, met Jason O'Connor, and later drove to the club with pigeons in a car. At about 6 pm, a man dressed as a woman—wearing a long black‑haired wig, black leggings, dark sunglasses and a handbag—entered the car park, approached Walker, removed a sub‑machine gun from his handbag and fired 18 shots, fatally wounding Walker. CCTV footage will show the shooting and a subsequent image from a Lidl in Blanchardstown of a person without a wig but otherwise similarly dressed. A post‑mortem by Professor Marie Cassidy will confirm 18 gunshot wounds to Walker's head, body and left leg. Christopher McDonald pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gunman dressed as woman shot man 18 times at pigeon racing club, trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of 36-year-old Keith Walker at Blanchardstown Pigeon Racing Club on Shelerin Road in Clonsilla on June 12, 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 12, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
Friday June 12 Hearing Or Sentence
June 13 Other
2017-06-20 Publication

Case subjects

Christopher McDonald

Accused

Charges: the murder of 36-year-old Keith Walker at Blanchardstown Pigeon Racing Club on Shelerin Road in Clonsilla on June 12, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty