Courts / Donegal / Report

Jury begin deliberating in Sliabh Liag murder trial

Summary

A jury has begun deliberations in the Central Criminal Court in the murder trial of two Co Donegal residents. Alan Vial, aged 39, from Drumanoo Head in Killybegs, and Nikita Burns, aged 23, from Carrick, have each pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert Robin Wilkin on 25 June 2023. The 66-year-old's body was discovered at Sliabh Liag. The prosecution alleges both accused engaged in a joint enterprise to cause serious harm to Mr Wilkin. However, each has accused the other of striking the fatal blow with a rock. Mr Justice Paul McDermott charged the jury that if they find either accused not guilty of murder, they may consider an alternative verdict of impeding the prosecution of their co-accused. The jury of seven women and five men spent approximately two hours deliberating before adjourning. They will resume consideration of their verdict tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury begin deliberating in Sliabh Liag murder trial. Charges or matters: murder; impeding the prosecution. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 25, 2023 Other
• June 24, 2023 Incident
• 2025-03-04 Publication

Why: She said she was "a bit manic" at the time and that she had exaggerated her involvement because she didn't want Mr Vial to take all the blame. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Sliabh Liag murderers appeal convictions
• Sliabh Liag murderers get appeal date
• 'It only took him six weeks to destroy me': criminal who beat, raped and coercively controlled partner to remain in prison after appeal rejected
• 'I have to have some regard to the public purse': Sliabh Liag murderers denied three senior barristers for appeal
• Criminal who raped and controlled partner rejects jury verdict, court hears
• Family 'overwhelmed' by Sliabh Liag pair's lack of remorse

Read the original CNI report