‘We can finally start grieving for Danielle’

The mother of murdered Buncrana woman Danielle McLaughlin has said the family can “finally start grieving” for her, almost eight years after rape and murder in India.

Andrea Brannigan was speaking after local man Vikat Bhagat was sentenced to life in prison for Ms McLaughlin’s rape and murder. She was found dead in a secluded spot in Canacona, an area of Goa popular with holidaymakers, in March 2017.

The 28-year-old had been celebrating Holi – a Hindu spring festival – at a nearby village.

Ms McLaughlin’s body was found the next day by a farmer in a field in a remote location.

A post-mortem examination showed the former Liverpool John Moores University student suffered cerebral damage and constriction of the neck, causing her death.

Ms Brannigan and Danielle’s sister Joleen travelled to India for the verdict on Friday after  Bhagat, 31, was found guilty at the District and Sessions Court in south Goa on Friday. 

She told RTÉ that the conclusion of the case in court allowed her to “finally start grieving for Danielle”.

“The last eight years have been tough. We’re constantly bombarding MPs, TDs, embassies, looking for answers.

“I’ve constantly been trying to fight to get justice for Danielle, because Danielle deserved justice so she could finally rest in peace and us as her family and friends can finally grieve for Danielle.

“So the last eight years have been tough. I feel like I can finally start grieving now for Danielle and I’m hoping that the rest of her family, her sisters and her friends, can now also start grieving.”

Family solicitor Desmond Doherty said Ms Brannigan was “extremely tired” but “glad it was over”.

He said it had been an eight-year process involving at least 250 court appearances.

Speaking to reporters, he said: “I think that they are satisfied that the process is finally over from their point of view because it has been a very, very long process.”

However, he added: “The personal tragedy of what has happened, no doubt, will never leave the family.

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“What does help is that the legal process – difficult as it was – became satisfactory in the end.”

He said Ms Brannigan was allowed legal representation in court during the entirety of the trial to assist the prosecution, adding that to get to India for the sentencing was a “great achievement on her part.”

Mr Doherty said there was a possibility that Bhagat could appeal against the court’s decision.

“That may make the thing drag on again for a longer period of time but those matters are out of the control of Danielle’s mum at this point in time so I think what she’ll want to do is get home, reflect on everything that has happened, and get a good long rest.”

Bhagat had pleaded not guilty to all charges, which included violent robbery and destruction of evidence. His trial had been ongoing since 2017 but was beset by a series of delays and legal challenges.

Additional Sessions Judge Kshama Joshi handed down the sentencing.  Prosecutors sought for Bhagat to be given the death penalty.

Bhagat was sentenced to “rigorous” life imprisonment for the murder of Ms McLaughlin. He was also handed a second life term for rape and three years in prison for destroying evidence. The sentences are to run concurrently and Bhagat was taken back to Colvale jail after the judgement. Bhagat, who has spent seven years in prison, can apply for release after 14 years behind bars.