Over 200 witnesses involved in case of alleged murder of man found off Sliabh Liag cliffs

Alison O'Riordan

Over 200 witnesses are involved in the case of a man and a woman who are to stand trial in 2025 accused of murdering a Tyrone man whose body was found off Sliabh Liag cliffs in Co Donegal, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Alan Vial (38), with an address at Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, Co Donegal, and Nikita Burns (22), of Bundoran Westend Accommodation, Westend Magheracar, Bundoran, Co Donegal, are accused of murdering Robert Wilkin at a place unknown within the State on June 25th, 2023.

The body of Mr Wilkin, who was aged in his 60s and originally from Co Tyrone, was found floating in waters off Sliabh Liag cliffs on July 3rd following an extensive search involving gardaí, the Irish Coastguard, and the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team.

On Monday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott was told by counsel in the case that there are 213 witnesses included in the book of evidence.

The judge fixed a date of January 13th, 2025 for the trial. The case is expected to last four weeks.

Addressing counsel in the case, the judge said: "Parties should address their minds in advance of the trial, given the amount of witnesses, whether certain evidence is not an issue."