Ireland Brother of Sliabh Liag murder convict fined over taxi breach, Donegal
Derek Vial, of Killybegs, was charged over an incident at The Diamond in Donegal Town on August 7, 2025, when an NTA inspector observed a Skoda with a rear passenger being driven there while its public service vehicle licence had expired on July 15, 2025. He was charged under section 22 of the Taxi Regulations Acts 2013 & 2016 with carrying persons for reward without a small public service vehicle licence. Representing himself at Donegal District Court, he pleaded guilty, and the court fined him €150, ordered him to pay €400 costs to the NTA and gave him four months to pay the fine, with the case reported on February 24, 2026. His brother, Alan Vial, was convicted of murder in a separate case, which is not the subject of this incident.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced24 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Derek Vial, of Killybegs, a man, was charged with driving a vehicle carrying persons for reward without a small public service vehicle licence.
- Where
- The incident took place at The Diamond in Donegal Town.
- When
- The incident took place on August 7, 2025.
- Cause
- The vehicle's public service vehicle licence had expired on July 15, 2025.
- Investigation
- An NTA inspector observed a Skoda with a rear passenger being driven around The Diamond.
- The driver made full admissions to the NTA inspector.
- Charges
- The charge was brought under section 22 of the Taxi Regulations Acts 2013 & 2016.
- In court
- Vial appeared before Donegal District Court, represented himself and pleaded guilty.
- The NTA was represented in court by a solicitor.
- Sentence
- Vial was fined €150, ordered to pay €400 costs to the NTA and given four months to pay the fine.
- Other details
- Vial described the incident as an oversight and said he had been in the taxi business for 23 years.
- Vial's brother, Alan Vial, was convicted of murder in a separate case, which Vial referred to in court, while the Key facts say he was in the Central Criminal Court on a murder case; that case and its appeal are not the subject of this incident.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe incident took place at The Diamond in Donegal Town. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on August 7, 2025. (donegallive.ie)
- causeThe vehicle's public service vehicle licence had expired on July 15, 2025. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationAn NTA inspector observed a Skoda with a rear passenger driving around The Diamond. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe driver made full admissions to the NTA inspector. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeVial was charged with driving a vehicle carrying persons for reward without a small public service vehicle licence. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThe charge was brought under section 22 of the Taxi Regulations Acts 2013 & 2016. (donegallive.ie)
- courtDerek Vial appeared before Donegal District Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtVial represented himself and pleaded guilty. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe NTA was represented in court by a solicitor. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceVial was fined €150 and ordered to pay €400 costs to the NTA. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceVial was given four months to pay the fine. (donegallive.ie)
- otherVial described the incident as an oversight. (donegallive.ie)
- otherVial said he had been in the taxi business for 23 years. (donegallive.ie)
- otherVial's brother was in the Central Criminal Court on a murder case, which Vial referred to in court. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Feb2026Brother of man convicted in Sliabh Liag murder fined over taxi breach
Reports the sentencing of Derek Vial, whose brother Alan Vial was convicted of murder in a separate case; that murder case and its appeal are not the subject of this incident.
convicted, Derek Vial, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Vial