Courts / Donegal / Report

'The Plan': how two lovers came to throw a pensioner's body off Ireland's tallest cliffs

Date
2025-03-06

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Killybegs

County
Donegal

Summary

Alan Vial and Nikita Burns were convicted of murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court. The court found that the pair killed 66-year-old Robert Wilkin and disposed of his body by throwing it off Sliabh Liag, Ireland's tallest cliffs. Following their convictions, Vial and Burns face the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder. The prosecution alleged that the defendants struck Wilkin with a rock, stole his cash and personal items, and fabricated a story claiming he had sexually assaulted Burns. Vial testified in his own defence, alleging Wilkin attacked him first, but the jury rejected his account. The State Pathologist testified that the blows to Wilkin's head would not have caused instant death, contradicting Vial's claims. The court noted Vial's history of offending and his attempts to destroy evidence, including washing blood from his hands at Teelin Pier. The matter was finalised with the mandatory life sentences imposed on both defendants.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'The Plan': how two lovers came to throw a pensioner's body off Ireland's tallest cliffs. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 2023 Incident
Saturday June 24, 2023 Other
2025-03-06 Publication

Why: Robert Wilkin drove while Vial, who would normally sit in the front, sat in the back because he knew Mr Wilkin was annoyed with him. CNI source report