Courts / Donegal / Report

Pensioner had previous 'aggressive' altercation with murder accused, Sliabh Liag trial hears

Date
2025-01-22

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Donegal

County
Donegal

Summary

A pensioner had engaged in an aggressive altercation with the man accused of his murder just three days before he was allegedly beaten with a rock and thrown from Ireland's highest cliffs, the Central Criminal Court heard today. Bruce Vial, brother of the accused Alan Vial, testified that on 22 June 2023 the defendant and his co-accused Nikita Burns visited his home with the deceased Robert Robin' Wilkin. During that visit, an altercation occurred between Vial and Wilkin, with both men shouting aggressively at each other. The following Sunday, after Wilkin's alleged death at Sliabh Liag in County Donegal, Vial and Burns returned to clean Vial's car using his vacuum cleaner. The vacuum was later found to contain what the witness believed was "red wine vomit". The trial also heard evidence from the manager of Mac's Bar in Dunkineely, who witnessed Wilkin strike Burns on the arm during a minor argument on the night in question. Alan Vial pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pensioner had previous 'aggressive' altercation with murder accused, Sliabh Liag trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of 66-year-old Robert 'Robin' Wilkin on June 25, 2023 in Donegal; impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another person for an arrestable offence but the prosecution did not accept her plea. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 22, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
Saturday June 24, 2023 Other
June 25 Other
June 25, 2023 Incident
2025-01-22 Publication

Case subjects

Alan Vial

Defendant

Charges: the murder of 66-year-old Robert 'Robin' Wilkin on June 25, 2023 in Donegal; impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another person for an arrestable offence but the prosecution did not accept her plea (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Sliabh Liag

Defendant