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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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The late Danielle McLaughlin pictured in India
The murder trial of Danielle McLaughlin has suffered yet another setback with the accused claiming he was assaulted by prison officers.
Danielle McLaughlin, 28, was found dead in a secluded area of the Canacona resort, in Goa, on March 14, 2017. Danielle had travelled to India where she hoped to train as a yoga teacher. The night before she was found dead, Danielle had attended a Holi party near Canacona beach, a place which is popular with holidaymakers from across the world.
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Vikat Bhagat has been charged with rape and murder, but his trial has been held only intermittently. The trial opened in 2018 and he has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Bhagat has been in custody since 2017, but Indian police failed to produce him at court a number of times. Sources in India have said this is due to staffing shortages with police escort staff.
The Irish Daily Mirror reported that a recent hearing, in June, at Court Marago could not go ahead because Vikat Bhagat was not produced from jail nor produced on video link. The Irish Daily Mirror also report that after the case was called out Bhagat called his legal representative via a WhatsApp video call, claiming he was assaulted by prison officers.
His legal representatives requested a medical check up for Bhagat. The judge ordered he be provided with immediate medical assistance and a report to be submitted to the court by today, Monday, and the trial was adjourned.
Danielle’s heartbroken mother Andrea Brannigan told the Irish Daily Mirror: "Yet again, the trial couldn’t go ahead. It’s all about his rights. It’s never about what he is on trial for.”
Danielle’s family have become increasingly frustrated at the lack of haste in court proceedings.
Buncrana-based Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has branded the delays as ‘outrageous and unbearable.'
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