Courts / Donegal / Report

Sliabh Liag accused denies lying to escape responsibility for pensioner's murder

Summary

Alan Vial, aged 39, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, County Donegal, denied during cross-examination at the Central Criminal Court that he fabricated allegations against his co-accused to evade responsibility for the death of Robert Robin Wilkin, aged 66. Mr Vial, who has pleaded not guilty to murder, maintains he did not strike the deceased with a rock. He claims his co-accused, Nikita Burns, aged 23, of Carrick, County Donegal, struck Mr Wilkin twice on the back of the head with a rock during an altercation in a vehicle near Roshine on 25 June 2023. Ms Burns has also pleaded not guilty to murder. During cross-examination, Mr Vial acknowledged providing false accounts to gardaí during interviews but insisted his current testimony is truthful. He confirmed wading into Teelin Pier to wash blood from his clothing but denied this indicated culpability. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sliabh Liag accused denies lying to escape responsibility for pensioner's murder. Charges or matters: the murder of Robert 'Robin' Wilkin in Donegal on June 25, 2023. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 25, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-02-12 Publication

Why: " Mr Vial said he didn't call gardai because he was "protecting Nikita" and denied that he was protecting himself. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report