THE family of a young Buncrana woman who was brutally murdered in India will learn within weeks if her killer’s appeal succeeds.
Danielle McLaughlin was 28 when she was killed in Goa in March 2017, just two weeks after arriving in the country.
Her devastated mum Andrea endured eight long years due to repeated disruptions in the criminal case before her daughter’s killer, Vikat Bhagat (31), was finally handed a life sentence in February 2025.
He was convicted of Danielle’s rape and murder – but he appealed his life sentence.
Danielle’s mother told Andrea told the Donegal News: “The Irish embassy phoned me and said his appeal is scheduled for the end of this month.
“The appeal is only meant to last a day, so the verdict should be known that day. Hopefully he won’t get out, but you just don’t know.
“I don’t think he will, but then you get doubts and fear that he could. I’ll be waiting now the whole month to find out.”
Andrea added: “The appeal date is not confirmed for July 30. The embassy is to let me know.
“It was meant to be on July 1 but we were told that a lawyer asked for the appeal to be heard at the end of a current case. We were concerned that this could mean a wait of several months.”
The late Danielle McLaughlin.
Bhagat received two life sentences for murder and rape and was handed an additional sentence for the destruction of evidence.
Danielle’s family fought for justice for Danielle for seven years.
Her mother Andrea had been informed that the appeal was due to go before the court in India on July 1.
Killer Bhagat lodged his appeal within weeks of his conviction.
Andrea told the Donegal News: “I hope that he won’t get out. I don’t think he will.
“It’s hard because you don’t know how it’s going to go.”
Vikat Bhagat’s appeal against his conviction and sentence for the rape and murder of Donegal woman Danielle McLaughlin is now expected to be heard in India on July 30.
Local Cllr Jack Murray says the family has the support of the local Inishowen community.
He told the Donegal News: “Danielle’s family has already endured an unimaginable loss and a long, exhausting battle for justice.
“This appeal has inevitability reopened wounds and placed them back into a period of terrible uncertainty.
“While the legal process must take its course, I sincerely hope the conviction and sentence are upheld and that Danielle’s family are spared any further unnecessary anguish.
“Andrea and the entire family continue to have the support and solidarity of people throughout Inishowen.”