Courts / Donegal / Report
Sliabh Liag murder accused tells trial he lied about pensioner sexually assaulting co-accused
Summary
Alan Vial, 39, and Nikita Burns, 23, are on trial accused of murdering 66-year-old Robert 'Robin' Wilkin and disposing of his body over the cliffs at Sliabh Liag in Donegal. In his direct evidence, Mr Vial admitted to lying to gardai in 2023 regarding the circumstances of Mr Wilkin's death. He accepted that he and Ms Burns fabricated a story claiming the deceased had sexually assaulted Ms Burns, a narrative he initiated to protect her. Mr Vial denied striking Mr Wilkin with a rock, instead alleging that Ms Burns struck the deceased on the back of the head twice during a fight in a car on Roshine Road. He stated he drove to Sliabh Liag with the deceased in the vehicle and placed him over the cliff. Mr Vial also admitted to washing blood from his clothes at Teelin Pier and discarding a blue shirt at sea to destroy evidence, confirming that the shirt found by searchers was his. He rejected suggestions that he had carefully constructed lies to disguise a premeditated killing. The trial is ongoing; the jury was informed that a legal issue has arisen which will delay proceedings, and they are scheduled to return tomorrow.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sliabh Liag murder accused tells trial he lied about pensioner sexually assaulting co-accused. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 2025-02-11 Publication
Why: When asked by his counsel why he didn't tell gardai "she did it, not me," Mr Vial replied: "I was trying to protect Nikita, because I had feelings for her. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Accused
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