Ex-lovers appeal murder conviction for beating man to death and throwing him off Sliabh Liag cliffs in Donegal
Alan Vial, 41, and Nikita Burns, 25, were convicted of the murder of 66-year-old Robert 'Robin' Wilkin after a row while driving on 25 June 2023 led to Wilkin being struck twice on the back of the head with a rock and his body being thrown over the cliffs at Sliabh Liag in Donegal. Gardaí became suspicious after the pair crashed their car, which had blood stains on the roof, and DNA testing linked Wilkin's blood and hairs to the rock. Vial and Burns were convicted of murder at the Central Criminal Court and sentenced to life imprisonment. In July 2026, the pair launched an appeal at the Court of Appeal, with Vial's counsel arguing they should have been tried separately and Burns' counsel arguing her incriminating statements were made while intoxicated; the court reserved judgment.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court23 Jul
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Vial and Burns were convicted of the murder of 66-year-old Robert 'Robin' Wilkin.
- After a row while driving towards Killybegs, Wilkin was struck twice on the back of the head with a rock and his body was driven to the top of the cliffs and thrown over the edge.
- Where
- The body was thrown over the cliffs at Sliabh Liag in Donegal, described as the highest cliffs in Ireland.
- When
- The three had been drinking together in various places around Donegal on 25 June 2023.
- Weapon
- Wilkin was struck twice on the back of the head with a rock.
- Investigation
- Gardaí became suspicious after Vial and Burns crashed the car, which had blood stains on the roof, and DNA testing linked Wilkin's blood and hairs to the rock.
- The State Pathologist was unable to identify a cause of death due to predator damage and decomposition.
- In court
- Vial and Burns were convicted of murder at the Central Criminal Court before trial judge Paul McDermott and sentenced to life imprisonment.
- In July 2026, the pair appealed at the Court of Appeal, with Vial's counsel arguing for separate trials and that there was no independent evidence he struck the fatal blows, and Burns' counsel arguing her incriminating statements were involuntary due to intoxication; the court reserved judgment.
29 statements extracted from the articles
- whatVial and Burns were convicted of the murder of 66-year-old Robert 'Robin' Wilkin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA row broke out as Vial drove them along a country road towards Killybegs. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatWilkin suffered two blows to the back of the head with a rock that either killed him or knocked him unconscious. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatVial and Burns drove Wilkin to the top of the cliffs and threw his body over the edge. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatBurns told several people at a friend's house that she and Vial had battered a man with a rock and threw him over the cliffs. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatChris Quinn said Burns arrived at his door late that night looking panicky and deranged. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBurns told Quinn she had murdered a man and had battered the fella until his face was out the back of his head. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBurns spoke on the phone to Sharon O'Dowd, who recorded the conversation. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIn the recording, Burns said they had beat some man's head in and that Vial had dragged him out of the car and started caving his head in. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatVial denied striking Wilkin and there was no independent evidence beyond the statements of his co-accused that he was responsible. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo people beat a man to death and threw his body over cliffs at Sliabh Liag in Donegal. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAlan Vial and Nikita Burns were convicted of the murder of Robert Wilkin at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- whatVial accepted he was present when Wilkin was killed and helped put him over the cliffs, but denied striking him. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe cliffs are Sliabh Liag in Donegal, described as the highest cliffs in Ireland. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe three were drinking together on 25 June 2023 in various places around Donegal. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe three had been drinking together on 25 June 2023 in various places around Donegal. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponWilkin suffered two blows to the back of the head with a rock. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí became suspicious when Vial and Burns crashed the car, which had blood stains all over the roof despite their efforts to clean it. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí arrested Vial for drunk driving and seized the car. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationState Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster was unable to identify a cause of death due to predator damage and decomposition. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDNA testing showed blood and hairs on the rock belonged to Wilkin. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtShane Costelloe SC argued Vial was prejudiced by Burns' admissions and they should have been tried separately. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtEoin Lawlor SC argued Burns' statements were not voluntary and she was intoxicated at the time. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBernard Condon SC for the DPP said there was ample evidence to prove Vial's guilt and the judge's charge to the jury was impeccable. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice Patrick McCarthy, sitting with Ms Justice Tara Burns and Mr Justice Charles Meenan, reserved judgment. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtVial's counsel argued the pair should have been tried separately so the jury would not have heard Burns blaming Vial for the fatal blows. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBurns' counsel argued her incriminating statements were not voluntary and she was intoxicated at the time. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Patrick McCarthy, sitting with Judge Tara Burns and Judge Charles Meenan, reserved judgment. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial judge at the Central Criminal Court was Paul McDermott. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Jul2026Pair convicted of murdering man and throwing his body over Donegal cliffs launch appeal
Court of Appeal hearing on the murder convictions of Vial and Burns; Vial's counsel argued for separate trials and that there was no independent evidence he struck the fatal blows, while Burns' counsel argued her incriminating statements were involuntary. DPP counsel countered there was ample evidence of Vial's guilt. Judgment reserved.
victim, Robert Wilkin, 66, male, irish (judged from name)Robert Wilkinconvicted, Alan Vial, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Vialconvicted, Nikita Burns, 25, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns - 23 Jul2026Ex-lovers who beat man to death and threw him off cliff in bid for freedom
Court of Appeal hearing where Vial and Burns argued their murder convictions should be overturned; Vial's counsel argued they should have been tried separately due to prejudicial admissions by Burns, while Burns' counsel argued her statements were involuntary due to intoxication. The DPP's counsel countered there was ample evidence and the judge's charge was impeccable. Judgment reserved.
victim, Robert 'Robin' Wilkin, 66, male, irish (judged from name)Robert 'Robin' Wilkinconvicted, Alan Vial, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Vialconvicted, Nikita Burns, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns