Courts / Donegal / Report

Sliabh Liag murderers get appeal date

Summary

Alan Vial and Nikita Burns, who were convicted in March 2025 of murdering Robert Robin Wilkin at Sliabh Liag in County Donegal, have been granted a hearing date for their conviction appeals. Vial, aged 39, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, and Burns, aged 23, of Carrick, had pleaded not guilty to the charge relating to events on 25 June 2023. A jury rejected their competing accounts of responsibility for the death. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, listed the matter for case management on 20 February and set 23 July for the full hearing of appeals, which is expected to occupy one day. The victim's body was recovered from the sea eight days after the incident.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sliabh Liag murderers get appeal date. Charges or matters: murdering the 66-year-old on June 25, 2023. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• March 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 25, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 23 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2026-02-20 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report