Murder accused charged with assault of Garda

A Donegal woman facing a murder trial has been charged with assaulting a Garda.

Nikita Burns is in custody having been charged with the murder of Robert Wilkin, whose body was found off Sliabh Liag cliffs last summer.

Burns appeared before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday. Burns was brought to court by prison guards from the Dóchas Centre at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin.

Burns is charged with an assault on Garda Declan O’Brien.

The matter was before the court for jurisdiction. Inspector Angela Cummins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed summary disposal in the District Court.

Garda John McLaughlin gave evidence of charging Burns at 11.20am on Friday at Ballyshannon Courthouse. When charged, Burns replied: “I don’t remember.”

The court was told that there was no medical report as Garda O’Brien did not seek medical attention. Inspector Cummins said Garda O’Brien was struck to the face with an open fist by the defendant.

Judge Michael Connellan accepted jurisdiction.

Judge Connellan adjourned the matter until April 5, 2024 and directed a production order for Burns to be in court on that occasion.

Burns and a co-accused Alan Vial (38), of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs are accused of murdering Robert Wilkin at a place unknown within the State on June 25, 2023.

Over two hundred witnesses are involved in the case. Last month at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul McDermott fixed a date of January 13, 2025 for the trial, which is expected to last four weeks.