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Sliabh Liag murder accused tells trial he lied about pensioner sexually assaulting co-accused

2025-02-11 · Killybegs, Donegal · Central Criminal Court

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A man accused of murdering a 66-year-old pensioner at Sliabh Liag in County Donegal has admitted to gardaí that he fabricated allegations of sexual assault during questioning in 2023. Alan Vial, aged 39, told the Central Criminal Court that he and his co-accused devised a false account regarding Robert Robin Wilkin's death. He accepted lying about whether Mr Wilkin was breathing when left at the cliff location, and about the circumstances of his death. Mr Vial acknowledged that suggesting a sexual assault was his idea. During his evidence, he stated that a struggle occurred in a vehicle on Roshine Road between Killybegs and Sliabh Liag, and that his co-accused struck the deceased twice with a rock. He admitted driving to Sliabh Liag and subsequently washing blood from his clothes at Teelin Pier, discarding the shirt he had worn. Mr Vial denied personally striking the deceased. A legal issue has delayed cross-examination on CCTV evidence, with the jury to return tomorrow.

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