Further setback in Donegal woman's murder trial

THE mother of a Donegal woman who was raped and murdered in India more than seven years ago, has said she has “no faith” in the Indian justice system after the long-running trial of the man accused has been delayed for a further four months.

The body of Danielle McLaughlin was found by a farmer in a field in a remote location of Goa in March 2017.

The 28-year-old Buncrana woman had been raped and murdered.

Ms McLaughlin had been travelling and backpacking in the area.

Local man Vikat Bhagat was a suspect in the case within a matter of hours.

The 24-year-old was known to Ms McLaughlin.

He was charged with sexual assault and murder, and criminal proceedings against him got underway within months but have since been met with delays over the last seven-and-a-half years.

Despite a decision having been made by the High Court of Bombay that the trial must be concluded on or before Thursday, October 17 of this week and that a verdict must also be delivered by then, this will not now happen.

Danielle’s mum, Andrea Brannigan has been told that lawyers for Mr Bhagat have secured a four-month extension, meaning that his trial will not now conclude until February of next year.

“I’m really upset about it,” she told the Sunday Independent.

“You are told a date and then it’s taken away. The new date for the end of the trial is now February.

“I don’t have faith in the Indian justice system any more.”

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