A person and lady accused of homicide at Sliabh Liag are set to face trial on the Central Felony Courtroom.
Alan Vial and Nikita Burns have been charged with murdering Robert Wilkin, whose physique was discovered within the water off Sliabh Liag in July.
Garda Sergeant Jim Collins advised Letterkenny District Courtroom that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that the instances in opposition to Vial and Burns proceed by the use of trial on indictment on the Central Felony Courtroom.
Sergeant Collins mentioned that books of proof aren’t but able to be served on the accused pair.
Vial, a 38-year-old of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs appeared by way of video hyperlink from Castlerea Jail and his co-accused Burns, a 21-year-old with an deal with at West Finish, Bundoran, was earlier than the courtroom by way of video hyperlink from the Dóchas Centre at Mountjoy Jail.
Vial was represented by solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher with Mr Frank Murphy representing Burns.
Each had been remanded in custody by Choose Éiteáin Cunningham till November 6. If books of proof are prepared by that date, Vial and Burns shall be delivered to courtroom to be served in individual. In any other case, they are going to seem once more by way of video hyperlink.
Vial and Burns are charged that on June 25, 2023, at a spot unknown throughout the State, they did homicide one Robert Wilkin (also called Robin Wilkin).
The physique of Mr Wilkin, aged in his 60s and initially from County Tyrone, was discovered floating in waters off Sliabh Liag on July 3.
Over 200 statements have been taken within the case with detectives piecing collectively a fancy jigsaw of proof having gathered ‘nicely in extra’ of 200 displays. Sixteen interviews had been performed with the accused whereas six crime scenes had been designated. Different scenes of curiosity had been additionally examined by Gardai.
Detective Garda Ciaran O’Brien advised a earlier courtroom sitting that there was a ‘enormous’ quantity of forensic evaluation required within the matter.
Vial and Burns had been initially arrested on June 26 on suspicion of a severe assault. It adopted info obtained by Gardai which led to a large-scale search off the favored vacationer vacation spot at Sliabh Liag.
Whereas each had been launched with out cost on that event, Vial was then introduced earlier than Ballyshannon District Courtroom on July 14 the place he was charged with homicide whereas Burns was introduced earlier than Letterkenny District Courtroom on August 29 when she was additionally charged with homicide.
Following an intensive search involving Gardai, the Irish Coastguard together with Rescue 118 and the Donegal Mountain Rescue Group, a physique was recovered within the water off the cliffs on July 3.
The physique was taken to Letterkenny College Hospital the place a full submit mortem was carried out by the State Pathologist’s Workplace.
The findings of that submit mortem haven’t been launched for Garda operational causes.
Duo charged with Sliabh Liag homicide to face trial at Central Felony Courtroom was final modified: October twenty third, 2023 by
