Ireland Crime

Named as

Convicted, accused, suspect

Born

Between December 2001 and January 2002, from the ages reported

Offences

Murder, Assault on a garda, Assault (assaulting two Gardaí)

Where

Co. Donegal

Reporting

76 reports, 29 Aug 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.

• 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 · 72 reports
• Burns jailed for assaulting garda in Ballyshannon Assault on a garda · Co. Donegal

  On 23 August 2023, Nikita Burns, a 23-year-old woman, punched Garda Declan O'Brien at Ballyshannon Garda Station and was also charged with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour on the same occasion. Burns pleaded guilty to both charges at Ballyshannon District Court. On 2 May 2025, Judge Monika Leech sentenced her to four months in prison for the assault and one month for the public order charge, to run concurrently. Burns is already serving sentences for murder and for assaulting another garda.

  Sentenced, 5 May 2025Convicted, accused · 2 reports
• Nikita Burns jailed for four months for assaulting two Gardaí at Letterkenny University Hospital Assault (assaulting two Gardaí) · Co. Donegal

  On 4 January 2023 at about 1.10am, Nikita Burns, a 23-year-old woman, attacked two Gardaí at the medical unit of Letterkenny University Hospital in Donegal after hospital staff called for help while she was being treated. She tried to gouge the eyes of a female Garda, pulled her hair, and kicked a male officer in the shins. Burns was later sentenced to life for the murder of Robin Wilkin in June 2023, which took place five months after the assaults. On 29 April 2025 at Letterkenny District Court, she was jailed for four months on each of two summonses, with the sentences running concurrently with each other and with her life sentence.

  Sentenced, 29 Apr 2025Convicted · 2 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 23 Jul2026
   Convicteddonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

   Sliabh Liag murderers appeal convictions at Central Criminal Court

   convicted, Nikita Burns, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀25IE
2. 23 Jul2026
   In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

   Pair convicted of murdering man and throwing his body over Donegal cliffs launch appeal

   convicted, Nikita Burns, 25, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀25
3. 23 Jul2026
   In courtirishmirror.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

   Ex-lovers who beat man to death and threw him off cliff in bid for freedom

   convicted, Nikita Burns, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀25IE
4. 1 Jul2026
   Convictedthejournal.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

   Pair found guilty of murdering man whose body was thrown over Sliabh Liag cliffs appeal convictions

   convicted, Nikita Burns, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀25IE
5. 20 Jun2025
   In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

   Sliabh Liag murderers denied legal aid for third barrister at Court of Appeal

   convicted, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
6. 5 May2025
   Sentenceddonegallive.ie, in Burns jailed for assaulting garda in Ballyshannon

   Sliabh Liag murderer Nikita Burns jailed for punching garda in Ballyshannon

   convicted, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
7. 29 Apr2025
   Sentencedirishmirror.ie, in Nikita Burns jailed for four months for assaulting two Gardaí at Letterkenny University Hospital

   Woman jailed for life gets extra sentence for Gardai attack months before murder

   convicted, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23IE
8. 29 Apr2025
   Sentenceddonegallive.ie, in Nikita Burns jailed for four months for assaulting two Gardaí at Letterkenny University Hospital

   Sliabh Liag murderer Nikita Burns gets prison time for attempted eye gouge of garda

   convicted, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23IE
9. 8 Mar2025
   Convicteddonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

   The full story as to how a jury found Burns and Vial guilty of Sliabh Liag murder

   convicted, Nikita Burns, female, namedNikita Burns♀
10. 7 Mar2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Donegal pair sentenced to life imprisonment for murder at Sliabh Liag

    convicted, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
11. 7 Mar2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Life in prison for pair who dumped man's body off Ireland's tallest sea cliffs

    convicted, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
12. 7 Mar2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder case: Victim’s sister says nothing could have prepared her for ‘evil and harrowing details’

    convicted, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
13. 6 Mar2025
    Convictedirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag case: How Alan Vial and Nikita Burns were convicted of murdering Robert Wilkin

    suspect, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
14. 6 Mar2025
    Convictedthejournal.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Two people found guilty of murdering man (66) whose body was thrown over Sliabh Liag cliffs

    convicted, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
15. 6 Mar2025
    Convictedgript.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Man and woman found guilty of murdering Robert Wilkin after row in car - Gript

    convicted, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
16. 6 Mar2025
    Convicteddonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Nikita Burns and Alan Vial found guilty of murdering Robert Wilkin at Sliabh Liag

    convicted, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
17. 6 Mar2025
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Man and woman guilty of murder of man whose body was thrown off famous cliffs

    convicted, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
18. 6 Mar2025
    Convictedrte.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Pair found guilty of murdering man, 66, in Co Donegal

    convicted, Nikita Burns, 24, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀24
19. 5 Mar2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder trial: Jury deliberations to go into third day

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
20. 5 Mar2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Jury asks for explanation of joint enterprise in Sliabh Liag murder trial

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
21. 4 Mar2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Jury begins deliberations in Sliabh Liag murder trial

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
22. 4 Mar2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Possible alternative verdicts may be reached in Sliabh Liag murder trial

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
23. 27 Feb2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder trial jury warned it could be dangerous to act on testimony of accused

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
24. 26 Feb2025
    In courtgript.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Court hears accused is “guilty of being an idiot” but “not of murder” - Gript

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
25. 26 Feb2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    'Smouldering resentment' exploded into violence in Sliabh Liag killing, court told by barrister

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23IE
26. 25 Feb2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder trial: Man accused has heaped ‘lies upon lies’, jury hears

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
27. 25 Feb2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder accused 'is a cynical liar attempting to make fools of a jury'

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
28. 24 Feb2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Man would not have died immediately from skull fractures, Sliabh Liag murder trial hears

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
29. 24 Feb2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag victim would not have died immediately from injuries before cliff fall, trial hears

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
30. 24 Feb2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Closing speeches to come after ten-day hiatus in Sliabh Liag murder trial

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
31. 14 Feb2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder trial adjourned for 10 days

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
32. 14 Feb2025
    In courtrte.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Trial adjourned for ten days in Sliabh Liag murder case

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
33. 11 Feb2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder accused admits lying to gardaí about victim sexually abusing co-accused

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
34. 11 Feb2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder accused lied about deceased sexually assaulting co-accused

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
35. 10 Feb2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Murder accused claims his former partner hit victim on head with rock

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
36. 10 Feb2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder accused tells trial his co-accused struck deceased with a rock

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
37. 7 Feb2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Google Street View used to help identify source of Sliabh Liag murder weapon

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, namedNikita Burns23
38. 7 Feb2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Geologist used Google Street View to identify possible source of Donegal murder weapon, trial hears

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, namedNikita Burns23
39. 6 Feb2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Brother of Sliabh Liag murder accused was concerned sister was off her medication

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23IE
40. 4 Feb2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Murder accused told gardaí deceased was alive when he left him at Donegal cliffs

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
41. 4 Feb2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Pensioner found dead at Sliabh Liag was alive when left at cliffs, murder accused told gardaí

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
42. 4 Feb2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Murder accused says deceased man may 'have rolled over the edge' of Sliabh Liag

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23IE
43. 29 Jan2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag trial: Murder accused was 'a bit manic' when she told friend she struck deceased

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23IE
44. 29 Jan2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder accused 'a bit manic' when she told friend she struck deceased man

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23IE
45. 28 Jan2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Bloodstained rock found at the top of Ireland’s tallest cliffs matched pensioner’s DNA, court told

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
46. 28 Jan2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Rock found on Sliabh Liag with hairs and bloodstains matching murdered pensioner

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23IE
47. 27 Jan2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder trial: Pensioner had head injuries consistent with blunt weapon, pathologist says

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23IE
48. 23 Jan2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder jury see CCTV montage of alleged killers' movements

    accused, Nikita Burns, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀22IE
49. 23 Jan2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Donegal cliffs murder trial: Jury shown CCTV montage of alleged movements of accused

    accused, Nikita Burns, 22, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀22
50. 22 Jan2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Man allegedly thrown off Ireland’s highest cliffs had earlier altercation with murder accused, court hears

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
51. 22 Jan2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Man had altercation with Sliabh Liag murder accused before being thrown off cliff

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23IE
52. 22 Jan2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Murder accused had altercation with deceased man days before he was thrown from cliffs, court told

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
53. 21 Jan2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Woman accused of murder at cliffs said she 'battered' deceased man's face with a rock, court told

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, namedNikita Burns♀23
54. 21 Jan2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder accused said she 'battered' deceased man's face and liked it

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23IE
55. 21 Jan2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Donegal cliffs murder case: Accused told friend she ‘liked’ battering man with rock

    suspect, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
56. 21 Jan2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Donegal murder trial hears woman told friend she 'battered' man and liked it

    accused, Nikita Burns, 23, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀23
57. 17 Jan2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Donegal cliffs murder case: Each of the accused claimed the other ‘did it’, court told

    accused, Nikita Burns, 22, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀22
58. 17 Jan2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Two accused of murdering man in Donegal each claimed the other 'did it'

    accused, Nikita Burns, 22, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀22
59. 17 Jan2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh League murder accused each claimed the other 'did it'

    accused, Nikita Burns, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀22IE
60. 16 Jan2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Man and woman plead not guilty to murder of man in Donegal

    accused, Nikita Burns, 22, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀22
61. 16 Jan2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder accused plead not guilty

    accused, Nikita Burns, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀22IE
62. 5 Apr2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Burns jailed for assaulting garda in Ballyshannon

    Sliabh Liag murder accused has Garda assault case put back

    accused, Nikita Burns, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀22IE
63. 18 Dec2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Over 200 witnesses involved in Sliabh Liag murder case

    accused, Nikita Burns, 22, female, namedNikita Burns♀22
64. 20 Nov2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Two sent for trial charged with murdering Robert Wilkin (60s) in Co Donegal

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, namedNikita Burns♀21
65. 20 Nov2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Man and woman to stand trial for Donegal cliffs murder

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, namedNikita Burns♀21
66. 20 Nov2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Duo sent forward for trial at Central Criminal Court charged with Sliabh Liag murder

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, namedNikita Burns♀21
67. 6 Nov2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    State given two weeks for book of evidence in Sliabh Liag murder case

    accused, Nikita Burns, female, namedNikita Burns♀
68. 23 Oct2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Sliabh Liag murder accused to face Central Criminal Court trial

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀21IE
69. 2 Oct2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Detectives investigating Sliabh Liag murder have taken ‘over 200 statements’

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, namedNikita Burns♀21
70. 2 Oct2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Over 200 statements and exhibits in Sliabh Liag murder probe

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀21IE
71. 18 Sep2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Solicitor asks State to prioritise case of man charged with Sliabh Liag murder

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, namedNikita Burns21
72. 4 Sep2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Books of evidence for Sliabh Liag murder accused 'at advanced stage'

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, namedNikita Burns♀21
73. 4 Sep2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Book of evidence on Sliabh Liag murder charge ‘at advanced stage’

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, namedNikita Burns♀21
74. 29 Aug2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Woman charged with murder of man found in water in Donegal

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀21IE
75. 29 Aug2023
    Chargeddonegallive.ie, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Woman in court on Sliabh Liag murder charge

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, namedNikita Burns♀21
76. 29 Aug2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, in Vial and Burns appeal Sliabh Liag murder convictions

    Woman (21) charged with murder of man whose body was found off Sliabh Liag cliffs

    accused, Nikita Burns, 21, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nikita Burns♀21IE

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.