A man and woman have gone on trial accused of murdering Robert Wilkin, whose remains were found in waters off Sliabh Ligh in Co Donegal in 2023.

Alan Vial, of Drumanoo Head in Killybegs; and Nikita Burns, of Carrick in Co Donegal, deny his murder.

It is the prosecution’s case that Robert Wilkin was beaten with a rock and thrown off Sliabh Ligh in the early hours of the June 25th 2023.

His body was found in the water a week later.

The jury was told they would hear evidence of Mr Wilkin being in a number of local pubs with Alan Vial and Nikita Burns before the alleged assault.

The prosecution claims that after he was attacked, Mr Vial and Ms Burns drove to the top of Sliabh Ligh to dispose of his body.

Following an alleged attempt to clean the car, the jurors were told Mr Vial was arrested for drink driving after crashing the car.

They were also told they would hear from witnesses who will say that Ms Burns told them what had happened.

In terms of forensic evidence, the jurors heard Mr Wilkin’s blood was found in the car; a pair of leggings seized from the house Ms Burns went to afterwards; a pair of boots seized from Mr Vial’s home; and on a rock found at the top of the cliffs.

Featured image: Criminal Courts of Justice, Alamy