Named in reporting
Alan Vial
Born 1985, from the ages reported. 85 reports across 3 cases, 14 Jul 2023 to 23 Jul 2026
Key facts
from every report naming them- Named as
- Convicted, accused, suspect
- Born
- 1985, from the ages reported
- Offences
- Murder, Driving without insurance, Drug-driving and dangerous driving
- Where
- Co. Donegal
- Reporting
- 85 reports, 14 Jul 2023 to 23 Jul 2026
- Outlets
- donegallive.ie, irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, thejournal.ie, gript.ie, rte.ie
Photographs
as published, with the outlet's credit



Images are shown from the outlet that published them and link back to the article. Copyright stays with the credited photographer or agency.
Cases
latest first- Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions Murder · Co. Donegal
Robert 'Robin' Wilkin, a 66-year-old man from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was allegedly struck on the head with a rock at Roshine near Killybegs and his body thrown over the Sliabh Liag cliffs in Donegal on 25 June 2023, with his remains recovered from the sea on 3 July. Alan Vial, 41, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, and Nikita Burns, 25, of Carrick, Co Donegal, were charged with his murder in July and August 2023 after initially being arrested and released without charge on 26 June. A Central Criminal Court jury found both guilty of murder by a 10-2 majority on 6 March 2025, and they were sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment the following day. The pair are now appealing their convictions at the Court of Appeal, where judgment was reserved on 23 July 2026.
Sentenced, 7 Mar 2025Convicted, accused, suspect · 83 reports - Alan Vial fined and disqualified for driving without insurance at Falcarragh court Driving without insurance · Co. Donegal
Alan Vial, a 38-year-old man from Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, Donegal, was charged with driving without insurance, with the offence dated to February 2023. The case was heard at Falcarragh District Court, where the court was told Vial had a previous conviction for the same offence that carried a two-year disqualification. Judge Cunningham convicted Vial on the second no-insurance charge, fined him €250 and disqualified him from driving for four years, concurrent with the existing ban. The latest development, reported on 19 June 2024, is this conviction and sentence, while Vial remains in custody at Castlerea Prison awaiting trial for murder.
Convicted, 19 Jun 2024Convicted · 1 report - Alan Vial banned for six years after drug-driving and dangerous driving charges Drug-driving and dangerous driving · Co. Donegal
Alan Vial, 38, from Donegal, was caught speeding while under the influence of drugs on the Donegal Town-Ballybofey road, near McClay's Corner in Stranorlar, on a date the sources do not give. A roadside test found him positive for cocaine and cannabis, and after his arrest he was taken to Letterkenny Garda Station and released three hours later because no medical professional was available for a further test. He was charged with drug-driving and two counts of dangerous driving in February 2023, and Buncrana District Court, with Vial not present, imposed a six-year driving ban, reported on 30 May 2024. Vial is now in custody at Castlerea Prison awaiting trial on a charge of murdering Robert Wilkin, a separate case.
Sentenced, 29 May 2024Convicted · 1 report
Timeline
every report naming Alan Vial, newest firstEach entry shows how that report described them.
- 23 Jul2026Sliabh Liag murderers appeal convictions at Central Criminal Courtconvicted, Alan Vial, 41, male, namedAlan Vial
- 23 Jul2026Pair convicted of murdering man and throwing his body over Donegal cliffs launch appealconvicted, Alan Vial, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 23 Jul2026Ex-lovers who beat man to death and threw him off cliff in bid for freedomconvicted, Alan Vial, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 1 Jul2026Pair found guilty of murdering man whose body was thrown over Sliabh Liag cliffs appeal convictionsconvicted, Alan Vial, 41, male, namedAlan Vial
- 20 Jun2025Sliabh Liag murderers denied legal aid for third barrister at Court of Appealconvicted, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 8 Mar2025The full story as to how a jury found Burns and Vial guilty of Sliabh Liag murderconvicted, Alan Vial, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 7 Mar2025Donegal pair sentenced to life imprisonment for murder at Sliabh Liagconvicted, Alan Vial, 39, male, namedAlan Vial
- 7 Mar2025Life in prison for pair who dumped man's body off Ireland's tallest sea cliffsconvicted, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 7 Mar2025Sliabh Liag murder case: Victim’s sister says nothing could have prepared her for ‘evil and harrowing details’convicted, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 6 Mar2025Sliabh Liag case: How Alan Vial and Nikita Burns were convicted of murdering Robert Wilkinsuspect, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 6 Mar2025Two people found guilty of murdering man (66) whose body was thrown over Sliabh Liag cliffsconvicted, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 6 Mar2025Man and woman found guilty of murdering Robert Wilkin after row in car - Griptconvicted, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 6 Mar2025Nikita Burns and Alan Vial found guilty of murdering Robert Wilkin at Sliabh Liagconvicted, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 6 Mar2025Man and woman guilty of murder of man whose body was thrown off famous cliffsconvicted, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 6 Mar2025Pair found guilty of murdering man, 66, in Co Donegalconvicted, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 5 Mar2025Sliabh Liag murder trial: Jury deliberations to go into third dayaccused, Alan Vial, 39, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 5 Mar2025Jury asks for explanation of joint enterprise in Sliabh Liag murder trialaccused, Alan Vial, 39, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 4 Mar2025Jury begins deliberations in Sliabh Liag murder trialaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 4 Mar2025Possible alternative verdicts may be reached in Sliabh Liag murder trialaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 27 Feb2025Sliabh Liag murder trial jury warned it could be dangerous to act on testimony of accusedaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 26 Feb2025Court hears accused is “guilty of being an idiot” but “not of murder” - Griptaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, namedAlan Vial
- 26 Feb2025'Smouldering resentment' exploded into violence in Sliabh Liag killing, court told by barristeraccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 25 Feb2025Sliabh Liag murder trial: Man accused has heaped ‘lies upon lies’, jury hearsaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 25 Feb2025Sliabh Liag murder accused 'is a cynical liar attempting to make fools of a jury'accused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 24 Feb2025Man would not have died immediately from skull fractures, Sliabh Liag murder trial hearsaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 24 Feb2025Sliabh Liag victim would not have died immediately from injuries before cliff fall, trial hearsaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 24 Feb2025Closing speeches to come after ten-day hiatus in Sliabh Liag murder trialaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 14 Feb2025Sliabh Liag murder trial adjourned for 10 daysaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, namedAlan Vial
- 14 Feb2025Trial adjourned for ten days in Sliabh Liag murder caseaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 11 Feb2025Sliabh Liag murder accused admits lying to gardaí about victim sexually abusing co-accusedaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 11 Feb2025Sliabh Liag murder accused lied about deceased sexually assaulting co-accusedaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 10 Feb2025Murder accused claims his former partner hit victim on head with rockaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 10 Feb2025Sliabh Liag murder accused tells trial his co-accused struck deceased with a rockaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 7 Feb2025Google Street View used to help identify source of Sliabh Liag murder weaponaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, namedAlan Vial
- 7 Feb2025Geologist used Google Street View to identify possible source of Donegal murder weapon, trial hearsaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, namedAlan Vial
- 6 Feb2025Brother of Sliabh Liag murder accused was concerned sister was off her medicationaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 4 Feb2025Murder accused told gardaí deceased was alive when he left him at Donegal cliffsaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 4 Feb2025Pensioner found dead at Sliabh Liag was alive when left at cliffs, murder accused told gardaíaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 4 Feb2025Murder accused says deceased man may 'have rolled over the edge' of Sliabh Liagaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 29 Jan2025Sliabh Liag trial: Murder accused was 'a bit manic' when she told friend she struck deceasedaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 29 Jan2025Sliabh Liag murder accused 'a bit manic' when she told friend she struck deceased manaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 28 Jan2025Bloodstained rock found at the top of Ireland’s tallest cliffs matched pensioner’s DNA, court toldaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 28 Jan2025Rock found on Sliabh Liag with hairs and bloodstains matching murdered pensioneraccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 27 Jan2025Sliabh Liag murder trial: Pensioner had head injuries consistent with blunt weapon, pathologist saysaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 23 Jan2025Sliabh Liag murder jury see CCTV montage of alleged killers' movementsaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 23 Jan2025Donegal cliffs murder trial: Jury shown CCTV montage of alleged movements of accusedaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 22 Jan2025Man allegedly thrown off Ireland’s highest cliffs had earlier altercation with murder accused, court hearsaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 22 Jan2025Man had altercation with Sliabh Liag murder accused before being thrown off cliffaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 22 Jan2025Murder accused had altercation with deceased man days before he was thrown from cliffs, court toldaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 21 Jan2025Woman accused of murder at cliffs said she 'battered' deceased man's face with a rock, court toldaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 21 Jan2025Sliabh Liag murder accused said she 'battered' deceased man's face and liked itaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 21 Jan2025Donegal cliffs murder case: Accused told friend she ‘liked’ battering man with rocksuspect, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 21 Jan2025Donegal murder trial hears woman told friend she 'battered' man and liked itaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 17 Jan2025Donegal cliffs murder case: Each of the accused claimed the other ‘did it’, court toldaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 17 Jan2025Two accused of murdering man in Donegal each claimed the other 'did it'accused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 17 Jan2025Sliabh League murder accused each claimed the other 'did it'accused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 16 Jan2025Man and woman plead not guilty to murder of man in Donegalaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 16 Jan2025Sliabh Liag murder accused plead not guiltyaccused, Alan Vial, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 19 Jun2024Donegal murder accused handed another driving banconvicted, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 29 May2024Drug-driving charge lands Sliabh Liag murder accused six-year banconvicted, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 18 Dec2023Over 200 witnesses involved in Sliabh Liag murder caseaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 20 Nov2023Two sent for trial charged with murdering Robert Wilkin (60s) in Co Donegalaccused, Alan Vial, 38, namedAlan Vial
- 20 Nov2023Man and woman to stand trial for Donegal cliffs murderaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 20 Nov2023Duo sent forward for trial at Central Criminal Court charged with Sliabh Liag murderaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, namedAlan Vial
- 6 Nov2023State given two weeks for book of evidence in Sliabh Liag murder caseaccused, Alan Vial, male, namedAlan Vial
- 23 Oct2023Sliabh Liag murder accused to face Central Criminal Court trialaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 2 Oct2023Detectives investigating Sliabh Liag murder have taken ‘over 200 statements’accused, Alan Vial, 38, male, namedAlan Vial
- 2 Oct2023Over 200 statements and exhibits in Sliabh Liag murder probeaccused, Alan Vial, 38, namedAlan Vial
- 18 Sep2023Solicitor asks State to prioritise case of man charged with Sliabh Liag murderaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 4 Sep2023Books of evidence for Sliabh Liag murder accused 'at advanced stage'accused, Alan Vial, 38, namedAlan Vial
- 4 Sep2023Book of evidence on Sliabh Liag murder charge ‘at advanced stage’accused, Alan Vial, 38, male, namedAlan Vial
- 29 Aug2023Woman charged with murder of man found in water in Donegalaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 29 Aug2023Woman in court on Sliabh Liag murder chargeaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 29 Aug2023Woman (21) charged with murder of man whose body was found off Sliabh Liag cliffsaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, namedAlan Vial
- 29 Aug2023Woman charged in relation to fatal assault at Sliabh Liag to face court todayaccused, Alan Vial, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 28 Aug2023Woman arrested in connection with death of man whose body was found off cliffsaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named at arrest, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 28 Aug2023Woman arrested over death of man at Sliabh Liagaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named at arrest, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 10 Aug2023Man charged with Donegal murder remanded in custodyaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, namedAlan Vial
- 10 Aug2023Further remand for Sliabh Liag murder accusedaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 17 Jul2023Man remanded in custody over murder charge related to body found off Donegal cliffsaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, namedAlan Vial
- 17 Jul2023Murder accused remanded in custodyaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 14 Jul2023Man (38) charged with murder of man whose body was found off Sliabh Liag cliffs in Donegalsuspect, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 14 Jul2023Man charged with murder over Sliabh Liag deathsuspect, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 14 Jul2023Man charged over murder of man found floating in water off Donegal cliffsaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
- 14 Jul2023Man (38) charged with murder after body found near Sliabh Liag in Co Donegalaccused, Alan Vial, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alan Vial
Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.