Danielle McLaughlin murder trial 'end in sight'

Danielle McLaughlin's body was found in Goa in 2017

The mother of an Irish woman who was raped and murdered in India seven years ago has said she is "hopeful" the trial will conclude this year.

Danielle McLaughlin, from County Donegal, was 28 years old when she was found dead in a field in the western state of Goa in March 2017.

Her body was repatriated to the Republic of Ireland later that month.

A second post-mortem examination found brain damage and strangulation as the cause of death.

Vikat Bhagat, 31, remains the only person charged in connection with the case.

He denies the charges.

Danielle McLaughlin, who grew up in County Donegal, had travelled to India in February 2017

There have been numerous delays and adjournments into the court case over the years.

Danielle McLaughlin, who grew up in Buncrana, County Donegal, had travelled to India in February 2017.

The Liverpool John Moores University student had been staying in a beach hut with an Australian friend.

The pair had been celebrating Holi - a Hindu spring festival in a nearby village.

She left the village late at night and her body was found the next day, unclothed, with injuries to her head and face, police in India said.

“She was my eldest and my sweetheart,” her mother, Andrea Brannigan, told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today.

“Seven years ago was the worst night of my life and I remember walking out of the house in disbelief," she said.

"It wasn’t until days after when we got clarity about what actually happened to her in Goa.

“The press in India were already naming her before we even knew the exact detail."

'A long road'

Danielle’s mother said that when her daughter was killed, all her "hopes and dreams died too”.

Ms Brannigan said the fight for justice had been “really hard".

"The delays have been tough," she added.

“You’re constantly fighting for something and hitting brick walls - it takes its toll.

“The trial has been moving more in the past year and we have been going through more and more witnesses which is good, but it’s been a long road.”

In 2023, a court in India directed that the trial should be concluded in 2024.

"I am hopeful that it will end this year as things have been progressing well, but I’ve also been let down a lot in the past," Ms Brannigan said.

"The word hope comes with a lot of baggage."

Ms Brannigan said she hoped to visit the site where her daughter was killed "once things conclude".

"It will help with the healing process and it’s lovely to know that people are still leaving flowers to this day in her memory," she said.

“I still message her on my Facebook Messenger and talk to her when things bother me, even though I don’t get a reply, it’s all part of the healing process.

“I don’t pray to Danielle, but I talk to her every single day and it’s my way of not letting go - I’m not ready to do that.”

Danielle's mother says she takes great comfort knowing locals leave flowers for her daughter

The family's lawyer, Des Doherty, told North West Today: "The trial should be over, we are hoping, by September.

"So, I think we're in the last quarter of a very, very long, difficult trial.

"I have read that it is now turning into one of the longest murder trials in the world.

"You can imagine the impact that that has on a mother and the extended family."

In 2018, Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar met and apologised to Danielle’s family after a misunderstanding about her citizenship.

Her mother requested a meeting with Mr Varadkar to discuss how other families could be better supported.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it "remains actively engaged on this case and continues to provide consular assistance".

"Officials in the department's consular directorate remain in regular contact with the family," they added.

"On numerous occasions, officials have made clear to the appropriate authorities our interest in this case and our wish to see a timely and just conclusion."

The spokesperson said that a section of the Victims' Charter, which focuses on support for Irish victims of crime abroad and their families "is dedicated to the memory of Danielle McLaughlin".