Man and woman deny Donegal cliffs murder

The trial is expected to last up to three weeks

Alan Vial (pictured) charged with the murder of Robert 'Robin' Wilkin in Donegal. File photo: NW Newspix

A man and woman accused of murdering a man whose body was allegedly thrown over the cliffs at Sliabh Liag in Co Donegal last year have gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.

A jury of five men and seven women was selected on Thursday afternoon to hear the trial of Alan Vial (aged 39) and Nikita Burns (aged 22), who are charged with the murder of Robert 'Robin' Wilkin on June 25, 2023, in Donegal.

Ms Burns of Carrick, Co Donegal, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another person for an arrestable offence.

Nikita Burns pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another person for an arrestable offence.

Mr Vial, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, Co Donegal, pleaded not guilty.

Mr Justice David Keane told the jury that the case has attracted some publicity as it is alleged that Mr Wilkin's body was disposed of by throwing it over the cliff edge at Sliabh Liag.

He asked anyone familiar with the case or any of the parties involved to let him know as they may be ineligible to sit as jurors.

The trial will begin on Friday and is expected to last up to three weeks.