Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 7073Murder · Co. Donegal · 25 Jun 2023

Two charged with murder of Robert Wilkin sent forward for trial over Donegal cliffs death

Robert Wilkin, also known as Robin Wilkin, a man in his 60s originally from County Tyrone, was found floating in waters off Sliabh Liag cliffs in Co Donegal on 3 July 2023. Alan Vial, 38, and Nikita Burns, 21, were arrested on 26 June on suspicion of a serious assault and released without charge. Vial was charged with murder at Ballyshannon District Court on 14 July, and Burns was charged at Letterkenny District Court on 29 August. The Director of Public Prosecutions consented to both being sent forward for trial, and the case was adjourned to the Central Criminal Court sitting on 28 November.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Alan Vial and Nikita Burns have been charged with murdering Robert Wilkin, also known as Robin Wilkin.
Where
The body was found floating in waters off the Sliabh Liag cliffs in Co Donegal.
When
The body was found on 3 July 2023, although the case record gives the incident date as 25 June 2023.
Other details
  • Robert Wilkin was a man in his 60s, originally from County Tyrone.
  • Alan Vial is a man aged 38, and Nikita Burns is a woman aged 21.
Investigation
  • Vial and Burns were arrested on 26 June on suspicion of a serious assault and released without charge.
  • Gardaí conducted sixteen interviews with the accused and designated six crime scenes.
Charges
  • Vial was charged with murder at Ballyshannon District Court on 14 July.
  • Burns was charged with murder at Letterkenny District Court on 29 August.
In court
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions consented to sending both accused forward for trial to the current sitting of the Central Criminal Court.
  • The case was adjourned to the Central Criminal Court sitting on 28 November.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo people were sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe body was found off Sliabh Liag cliffs in Co Donegal. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe body was found on 3 July. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationSixteen interviews were conducted with the accused and six crime scenes were designated. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationVial and Burns were initially arrested on 26 June on suspicion of a serious assault and released without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeVial and Burns are charged with murdering Robert Wilkin, also known as Robin Wilkin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeVial was charged with murder at Ballyshannon District Court on 14 July, and Burns was charged at Letterkenny District Court on 29 August. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP consented to sending both accused forward for trial to the current sitting of the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to the Central Criminal Court sitting on 28 November. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Nov2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man and woman to stand trial for Donegal cliffs murder

    Reports that Alan Vial (38) and Nikita Burns (21) were sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court, adjourned to 28 November. It gives the charge date, the arrest and charge history, and the scale of the investigation.

    victim, Robert Wilkin, 60s, male, irish (judged from name)Robert Wilkinaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vialaccused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, namedNikita Burns