By Dionne Meehan
THE man on trial for Danielle McLaughlin’s rape and murder in India was granted interim bail to attend his sister’s wedding at the weekend.
Vikat Bhagat was allowed to leave jail on the morning of February 24 to attend the celebration under police escort, according to local media.
Bhagat stands accused of the rape and murder of Buncrana woman Danielle, who was 28-years-old at the time, in Goa on March 14, 2017.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
With the High Court trial now ongoing for almost seven years, Sinn Féin Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn described the lengthy trial as being “cruel beyond belief”.
“This case has dragged on and on and it is just so hard for her family because they are so far away from India,” he said.
“Danielle was murdered in the most appalling circumstances and that was just unbearable for her family.
“For them to have to wait for justice is just terrible.”
Calling on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tánaiste Micheál Martin to report on government engagements with the Indian government on the court proceedings, Deputy Mac Lochlainn insisted that something has to be done to push this case on.
“I think it has got to a point now where the Irish Government should call in the Indian ambassador on this case.
“Surely a conversation has to be had. How can it take seven years and God knows how much longer?” he concluded.
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