The mum of a Donegal woman raped and murdered in India seven years ago, has spoken of her heartbreak at being denied make a victim impact statement if the man accused is found guilty.
Danielle McLaughlin, from Buncrana, was found dead in a secluded spot of Canacona in Goa, India, on March 24, 2017. The 28-year-old had attended Holi festivities the evening before.
Local man Vikat Bhagat has been charged with the rape and murder of the young woman. His trial is due to come to an end in a matter of weeks.
Bhagat pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, murder, violent robbery and destruction of evidence.
If found guilty, a sentencing hearing will take place and Bhagat could face the death penalty.
Danielle’s heartbroken mum, Andrea Brannigan has learned in recent days that victim impact statements are not used in Indian courts, and she will not be asked to make one.
“I was never told this until now,” she told the Irish Daily Star. “You would wonder why they are not used, but they don’t have a jury in Indian courts either.”
Andrea said compiling a victim impact statement was her way of describing just how her daughter’s murder has had a profound impact. “I wanted to do a victim impact statement so that he (Bhagat) would know what he has taken from our family and how, when Danielle passed, so did her future and my future.
“My dreams for her to get married, have children, be an aunt. I lost my beautiful daughter and best friend. My girls lost their big sister and the one they looked up to and whoguided them. This is just a part of what I wanted to tell him (Bhagat).
“It is hearbreaking,” she told the Irish Daily Star.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)