Courts / Donegal / Report
Sliabh Liag murder trial jury view CCTV montage
Summary
At the Central Criminal Court, a jury has viewed CCTV footage documenting the alleged movements of two defendants on the night of a pensioner's death in County Donegal. Nikita Burns, aged 22, of Carrick, and Alan Vial, aged 39, of Killybegs, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert Robin Wilkin on 25 June 2023. Mr Wilkin's remains were recovered from waters below Sliabh Liag cliffs a week later. The prosecution alleges the three men left a public house in Dunkineely at approximately 1.30am and travelled by Volkswagen Passat towards Roshine, where an assault is believed to have occurred. CCTV evidence presented to the jury showed the vehicle at Sliabh Liag ranger's hut at 2.20am, proceeding towards the clifftop before returning approximately 38 minutes later. The State contends Mr Wilkin was thereafter thrown from the cliffs. Sergeant Ronan Gallagher detailed the vehicle's movements across multiple locations and timestamps. Witness testimony included observations of Mr Vial's appearance later that day. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and jury.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sliabh Liag murder trial jury view CCTV montage. Charges or matters: murder; impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another person for an arrestable offence; 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 25, 2023 Incident
- June 24, 2023 Incident
- June 24 Other
- June 25 Incident
- 2025-01-23 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murder; impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another person for an arrestable offence (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
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)
Places mentioned
- Roshine Road
Topics
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