A murder investigation is expected to be launched after a man’s body was discovered in Co Donegal.
Details continue to emerge after gardaí confirmed they had found a body in the water by the Sliabh Liag cliffs, following reports of an assault.
It is understood the victim is Robert Wilkin, aged in his late sixties, a lorry driver from Co Tyrone who was due to face trial for drug smuggling this October.
After a tip off that a serious assault had taken place between Saturday afternoon, June 24, and Sunday evening June 25, it is reported that a main line of enquiry for gardaí is that he was hit on the head with a rock after getting in a disagreement with a woman, before being thrown over a cliff at the popular tourist spot.
Police have yet to issue a formal identification, but it is reported that gardaí are waiting on the results of a post mortem examination before deciding on whether to treat the death as murder.
Last week, a man in his thirties and woman in her twenties were arrested but were both released without charge.
The Irish Independent reported that the missing man was socialising in the Kilcar, Glenties or Sliabh Liag area in the days leading up to his disappearance and had been in the company of a man and woman.
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The man and woman had reportedly crashed a car in the village of Fintown on Sunday, June 25, resulting in the man being arrested for alleged drink-driving.
He was then rearrested as he left Letterkenny District Court on assault charges, with the woman arrested elsewhere.
After detectives applied to search the man’s car, splatters of blood were found and are anticipated to be of crucial importance in any murder investigation.
During the investigation, a house in the Killybegs area with direct links to Mr Wilkin had also been sealed off as part of the investigation.
Two years ago, he had been arrested with £5.7 million of heroin and cocaine hidden in a cargo of chocolate bars.
Border Force Officers had 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.
Although released on bail after being charged, the National Crime Agency confirmed to the Irish News that Mr Wilkin was due to go on trial on October 30 this year.
Commenting on the latest developments, local county councillor Niamh Kennedy said: “It’s really sad and upsetting news for the entire area. People are relieved that a body has been found and there can be some sort of closure for the family.
"It has been a traumatic time for everyone so my condolences go to everyone involved.”
