The body at the centre of an assault investigation in Co Donegal is understood to be that of a Northern Ireland man due in court accused of drug smuggling.
After an extended search, gardaí confirmed on Monday they had recovered the body in the waters beside the cliff tops of Sliabh Liag.
It is believed to be Co Tyrone man Robert Wilkin, in his late sixties, a lorry driver who was found two years ago with £5.7 million of heroin and cocaine hidden in a cargo of chocolate bars.
Border Force Officers stopped his lorry at Coquelles Channel Tunnel terminal on August 12 2021.
His Polish registered truck had been carrying Belgian chocolates with documents showing he was due to deliver them to Maidstone in Kent.
Concealed within two pallets of chocolates, a total of 63kg of heroin and 32kg of cocaine were seized, which were estimated to have had a street value of £5.7m.
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Gardaí investigating alleged assault find body in waters below Sliabh Liag
Man at centre of Sliabh Liag investigation is from Northern Ireland, reports claim
He was bailed after appearing at Folkestowne magistrates, and the National Crime Agency has now confirmed to The Irish News that he was due to stand trial on October 30 this year.
At the time of his arrest, the NCA’s Branch Commander Martin Grace had described the discovery as “a significant seizure of class A drugs of the type we see being distributed by violent and exploitative street gangs and county lines networks.
“Working with our law enforcement partners like Border Force we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the organised crime groups involved in bringing these drugs to the UK.”
Gardaí did not have any further comment to make on the matter when contacted.
Following Monday’s discovery, a post-mortem examination will now be carried out and Ireland’s State Pathologist has been notified.
Last week, a man in his thirties and a woman in her twenties were arrested but were released without charge.
It was reported the initial investigation was sparked after a tip-off call to police over concerns a man had been seriously assaulted.
Traces of blood found in a car also increased the urgency of the search for the missing man.
After the sea cliffs had remained closed to the public for most of last week, they have now been fully reopened to visitors.
As the investigation continues, an incident room has now been established at Ballyshannon Garda station, with a public appeal for anyone travelling in the Killybegs/Sliabh Liag area between the afternoon of June 24 and the evening of June 25 to come forward with any relevant information.
