Mystery abounds, but Sliabh Liag cliffs reopen to public access

The Sliabh Liag cliffs have been reopened to public access having been closed since Monday following an incident last weekend.

With Gardai remaining tight-lipped on the matter, mystery still surrounds the precise series of events that resulted in the closure of the popular tourist attraction.

On Friday afternoon, the Garda cordon, which had been in place all week, was lifted. The Sliabh Liag Experience has confirmed it will reopen on Saturday morning with the first shuttle bus to the viewing area at Bunglás setting off at 10.10am.

They said: “We've all given full support to the Gardaí during their extensive investigations. It's been a long week but we're ready, we welcome you all again.”

Access to the cliffs was closed after a major multi-agency search operation was launched for a missing man. The operation, which initially involved An Garda Siochana, the Irish Coast Guard, Donegal Mountain Rescue and the 118 Rescue helicopter, was significantly scaled back by Wednesday, when only Gardai were present.

On Thursday, the Garda Water Unit was set up at Teelin Pier, a few kilometres from the cliffs. The pier was closed for a period while officers form the Water Unit conducted a search.

At this time of year, Sliabh Liag, which boasts some of the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe, would be thronged with tourists. This week, however, the area has been rife with rumour and speculation.

Gardai are not commenting on the incident other than to appeal for information from anyone who was in the vicinity of Sliabh League between Saturday evening and Sunday evening.

“Investigations are ongoing,” a Garda spokesperson said. 

Asked as to the state of the operation following the reopening of the cliffs, the spokesperson told Donegal Live: "There are no further updates available at this time."

Drew Harris, the Garda Commissioner, even said during the week that the investigation could be upgraded to a murder investigation if necessary. Commissioner Harris said the investigation was appropriately resourced ‘for the seriousness of the offence that we believe has happened’.

Teelin pier. Photo: Thomas Gallagher

Two people arrested over what Gardai described as an ‘alleged assault’ were released without charge, pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

The identity of the missing man was not released by Gardai. However, it is known that he is a man in his 60s and from Northern Ireland. He is understood to have been socialising with the two people in south-west Donegal over the weekend.

A man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s - both of whom are from Donegal - were arrested by Gardai. They were detained at separate Garda stations - the man in Letterkenny and the woman in Ballyshannon - under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

The man was admitted to Letterkenny University Hospital for a time on Monday after complaining that he felt unwell while in custody. This led to an extension of his period of detention.

The two people were released without charge on Tuesday evening and a file will be now prepared and sent to the DPP for directions on the matter.

A house on the outskirts of Killybegs was sealed off on Monday. Members of the Garda forensics team carried out a search of the property and uniformed Gardai remained at the scene through the week.

At Monday’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court, a warrant was granted by Judge Brendan O’Reilly for the seizure of a car which belonged to the arrested male.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí continue to appeal to any person who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them.

“Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Slieve League between Saturday evening, 24th June 2023 and Sunday evening, 25th June 2023, and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating Gardaí.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station on 071 985 8530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”