Woman in court on Sliabh Liag murder charge

A woman has been charged with the murder of a man whose body was found in the water off Sliabh Liag.

Nikita Burns was hauled before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Tuesday morning after being charged with the murder of Robert Wilkin.

Burns, a 21-year-old with an address at West End, Bundoran, appeared for a short hearing before Judge Ciaran Liddy.

Burns was arrested on Monday morning in Letterkenny and detained at Letterkenny Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. After questioning, detectives charged Burns with murder.

Detective Sergeant Mattie Murphy gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Burns. Detective Sergeant Murphy told the court that he charged Burns at 10.21pm on Monday, August 28. After being cautioned, Burns told detectives: “I didn’t do it.”

Burns, wearing a black jumper and white trousers, did not speak during the hearing at Letterkenny courthouse.

Burns was charged that on the 25th of June,2023 at a place unknown within the State, she did murder one Robert Wilkin (also known as Robin Wilkin). The charge is Contrary to Common Law and as provided for by Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1964.

Mr Rory O’Brien, solicitor for Burns, asked that, while on remand, Burns receive all necessary medical treatment including any psychiatric treatment that is relevant.

Legal aid was granted to Mr O’Brien by Judge Liddy, who granted the request regarding medical treatment.

Solicitor Mr Rory O'Brien. (North West Newspix)

Garda Superintendent Karen Duffy asked that Burns be remanded in custody to appear via video link before Letterkenny District Court on Monday, September 4.

The body of Mr Wilkin, aged in his 60s and originally from County Tyrone, was recovered from the water on July 3.

Previously, a man, Alan Vial, was also charged with the murder of Mr Wilkin. Vial, a 38-year-old of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, was initially brought before Ballyshannon District Court on July 14.

Vial is in custody at Castlerea Prison and is due to appear in court again in September.

Vial and Burns were previously arrested on June 26 on suspicion of a serious assault. It followed information received by Gardai which led to a large-scale search off the popular tourist destination at Sliabh Liag.

Following an extensive search involving Gardai, the Irish Coastguard including Rescue 118 and the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team, a body was recovered in water off the cliffs on July 3.

The body was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital where a full post mortem was carried out by the State Pathologist's Office.

The findings of that post mortem have not been released for Garda operational reasons.

The case was adjourned to September 4, 2023.