GARDAÍ have said they will not be releasing the results of a post-mortem examination after the discovery of a body in Co Donegal.
Understood to be Robert Wilkin from Co Tyrone, a lorry driver in his late 60s who was due in court on drug smuggling charges, the body was found in the water at the sea cliffs of Sliabh Liag on Monday.
It is reported that the National Crime Agency have been contacted for help in identifying the body, but a Garda spokesperson said that no further updates were available.
With expectations that a murder probe will be launched, a statement on Tuesday said that the investigation continued to examine “all the circumstances of an alleged assault”.
A post-mortem has been completed, but the results are not being made public “for operational purposes.”
The NCA previously confirmed to the Irish News that Mr Wilkin, who was living in the English port of Tilbury, was due to go on trial on October 30 this year.
Border Force Officers had stopped his lorry at Coquelles Channel Tunnel terminal in August 2021.
Nearly £6m worth of cocaine and heroin was found hidden in a cargo of Belgian chocolate, which was due to be delivered to Maidstone in Kent.
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Murder probe expected after man's body found in Co Donegal
The search for Mr Wilkin in Donegal was initially sparked by a phone tip off, sharing concerns that a serious assault had taken place some time between the afternoon of Saturday, June 24, and Sunday evening, June 25.
The popular tourist area of Sliabh Liag was shut off to the public for days as a major search involving the Coastguard was carried out.
A man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s were arrested and later released without charge.
Reports state that the woman allegedly called a friend to confess that she and her partner had attacked Mr Wilkin after he had made an unwanted advance on her.
A main line of enquiry is understood to be that Mr Wilkin was hit on the head with a rock before being thrown over a cliff at Sliabh Liag.
The discovery of a car with blood spatters inside had increased concerns, with Gardaí initially asking the PSNI for help to contact a relative in Larne for a DNA test.
This was no longer necessary after the recovery of the body, and it is expected comparing DNA with material found in the car will be of crucial importance.
An incident room has now been established at Ballyshannon Garda Station under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer.
Anyone with relevant information has been asked to call Ballyshannon Garda Station on 071 985 8530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
