Second man convicted after armed burglary at family home in Wicklow
The Wicklow PeopleA Wicklow man who forced his way into a family home while two young children were present has been convicted on all counts following a trial at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court.
Keelin Walker (30), of Tuskar Court, Marina Village, Arklow, appeared for the second and final day of his trial on Thursday, January 22.
Mr Walker had pleaded not guilty to aggravated burglary, assault causing harm, and possession of a knife while on a premises as a trespasser. Another man had previously been convicted in relation to the incident.
The prosecution opened its case on day one with evidence from Detective Garda Darren Mulhall of Arklow Garda Station, who outlined the garda investigation and introduced several exhibits, including CCTV footage and photographs.
The CCTV showed two men entering a house at Woodland Green, Arklow, in the early hours of the morning and leaving approximately 90 seconds later.
Audio played to the court captured the sound of a dog barking, raised voices and a child crying.
Gardaí also presented photographs of injuries allegedly sustained by the occupants of the house following the incident.
The injured party, Jason Douglas, told the court he was at home with his partner, Shaunie Furlong, and their two young children when the front door was forced open. He said two men wearing balaclavas entered the house and pushed him onto a kitchen table, while his partner was assaulted.
Mr Douglas claimed one of the intruders was armed with a knife and said he later identified Keelin Walker, whom he had known all his life and knew by the nickname “Kilo”, primarily by his voice and accent. He accepted that he initially named another individual to gardaí, but said he later corrected his account once he had time to process the events.
Ms Furlong also gave evidence, telling the court she attempted to defend herself by picking up a knife before it was taken from her. She alleged that Mr Walker swept her to the ground and struck her with his fist and elbow, resulting in a black eye and an ear injury.
She said she recognised the accused during the incident after pulling down his snood and later identified him on CCTV footage, due to his walk as distinctive. Garda witnesses corroborated her injuries.
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The court heard that a black bag sought during the incident was later recovered near the home of a co-accused, though no forensic evidence was obtained. Mr Walker denied any involvement during garda interview and disputed the identification evidence put to him.
On Thursday, the court was told that remaining witnesses scheduled to testify were not required and that the prosecution had closed its case. Both legal teams delivered closing statements to the jury.
Counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly BL, told the jury that gardaí believed Mr Walker was responsible and said that on the following morning gardaí attended his mother’s home, after which Mr Walker contacted gardaí questioning why they were there.
The court heard that Mr Walker stated he was in Gorey on the night of the incident, despite CCTV capturing him in Arklow at 11.30am the following morning. The prosecution noted that Mr Walker remained silent during an inference interview.
Mr Kelly told the jury that when gardaí later searched the home of Dale Kavanagh, who has received a five-year sentence for his role in the incident, Mr Walker was present at the house.
“Any version of events where the defendant says that was the first time he visited that house is pure fantasy,” said Mr Kelly.
Counsel for the defence, Barry White SC, told the jury the case against Mr Walker rested on suspicion rather than proof. He said a “finger of suspicion” was being pointed at the accused, but reminded the jury that suspicion was not evidence.
Mr White highlighted alleged inconsistencies in the identification evidence, noting that Mr Douglas initially identified another man and later changed his account, raising the possibility of honest mistake.
He also pointed to discrepancies in the description of the knife, which he said changed over time, and questioned the reliability of that evidence.
Mr White noted that Ms Furlong’s evidence, and description of the intruder’s clothing altered after CCTV footage was viewed, again suggesting the possibility of mistaken identification.
He also questioned what forensic examination, if any, was carried out at the house, noting that despite claims a chair had been thrown, no physical or forensic evidence was produced.
The judge then charged the jury before sending them to deliberate.
The jury returned after lunchtime and found Mr Walker guilty on all counts. Mr Walker is due to be sentenced in late April 2026.