Sliabh Liag murder accused to face Central Criminal Court trial

A man and woman charged with the murder of a man whose body was found in the water off Sliabh Liag will be tried at the Central Criminal Court.

Alan Vial and Nikita Burns have been charged with murdering Robert Wilkin.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told Letterkenny District Court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that the cases against Vial and Burns proceed by way of trial on indictment at the Central Criminal Court.

Sergeant Collins said that books of evidence are not yet ready to be served on the accused pair.

Vial, a 38-year-old of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs appeared via video link from Castlerea Prison and his co-accused Burns a 21-year-old with an address at West End, Bundoran, was before the court via video link from the Dóchas Centre at Mountjoy Prison.

Vial was represented by solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher with Mr Frank Murphy representing Burns.

Both were remanded in custody by Judge Éiteáin Cunningham until November 6. If books of evidence are ready by that date, Vial and Burns will be brought to court to be served in person. Otherwise, they will appear again via video link.

Vial and Burns are charged that on June 25, 2023, at a place unknown within the State, they did murder one Robert Wilkin (also known as Robin Wilkin).

The body of Mr Wilkin, aged in his 60s and originally from County Tyrone, was found floating in waters off Sliabh Liag on July 3.

Over 200 statements have been taken in the case with detectives piecing together a complex jigsaw of evidence having gathered ‘well in excess’ of 200 exhibits. Sixteen interviews were conducted with the accused while six crime scenes were designated. Other scenes of interest were also examined by Gardai.

Detective Garda Ciaran O’Brien told a previous court sitting that there was a ‘huge’ volume of forensic analysis required in the matter.

Vial and Burns were initially arrested on June 26 on suspicion of a serious assault. It followed information received by Gardai which led to a large-scale search off the popular tourist destination at Sliabh Liag.

While both were released without charge on that occasion, Vial was then brought before Ballyshannon District Court on July 14 where he was charged with murder while Burns was brought before Letterkenny District Court on August 29 when she was also charged with murder.

Following an extensive search involving Gardai, the Irish Coastguard including Rescue 118 and the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team, a body was recovered in water off the cliffs on July 3.

The body was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital where a full post mortem was carried out by the State Pathologist's Office.

The findings of that post mortem have not been released for Garda operational reasons.