The family of slain Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin, who was raped and murdered in India in 2017, have finally achieved justice as her killer, Vikat Bhagat, was found guilty. After an eight-year legal battle, Bhagat faces the death penalty. Danielle's family visited the scene of her death, finding comfort amidst the tragedy. This story details the journey for justice, the impact of the verdict, and tributes paid to Danielle.
The family of slain Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin visited the site where she was raped and murdered in India , stating: “We felt her spirit so strongly there.” The guilty verdict comes after an eight-year legal battle. Prosecutors are now seeking the death penalty for Danielle’s killer, Vikat Bhagat , who was found guilty of her murder yesterday. Danielle’s mother Andrea visited the scene, which has now been set up as a memorial to Danielle.
Speaking to this paper about the emotional visit, Andrea said: “We found such comfort in how peaceful it was. We felt her spirit so strongly there.” Meanwhile, Bhagat is set to be sentenced on Monday, with prosecution lawyers seeking the death penalty. Under Indian law, anyone found guilty of murder can be either sentenced to death or to life in prison. Prior to the horror killing, Danielle had travelled to India where she planned to train as a yoga teacher. The night before she was found dead, Danielle had attended a Holi party near Canacona beach in the south of Goa. The murder trial got underway in July 2017 but it had been beset by constant delays and setbacks for almost eight years. Now justice has finally been achieved for Danielle’s family. In a statement, Danielle’s family said: “We have lost nearly eight years of our lives fighting for Danielle and we are so thankful that we now can start grieving her immeasurable loss. “She was so much more than a daughter, sister and best friend. She lit up every room she entered and touched the lives of all who met her. She brought so much good into this world and he so quickly took her from this world with his cruelty.” Danielle’s family and friends also thanked the Irish and UK embassies, public prosecutors, lawyers and investigating officers involved in their fight for justice. “We are so grateful that they fought for her just as hard as we have,” the statement continued. 'We are so thankful that their hard work has paid off and that Vikat has been found guilty of taking Danielle from us.” They said they had Danielle in their lives for 28 years and wished they could have seen the women she would have become but because of Vikat she will forever be 28. 'We will never see her smile or hear her laugh and we appreciate all that they have done for our campaign fighting for this outcome. We are so thankful that everyone involved in her case has treated her like their daughter and us with how much they have cared and fought so tirelessly for her. 'We are so grateful to have been able to be here for the verdict and to see the Goa that Danielle loved so much. Danielle’s truth has finally been heard,” Danielle’s family said. In a statement on behalf of Andrea and her family, solicitor Desmond Doherty: “There was no other suspect or gang involved in Danielle’s death and Bhagat was solely responsible for cruelly ending her beautiful life. “We have endured what has been effectively an eight-year murder trial with many delays and problems, right until the end, all taking place thousands of miles away from Danielle’s home in Buncrana, Co Donegal. “We are content now with the judicial confirmation in public of what we already sadly knew. What further legal processes now take place we will observe. We are grateful to the court for allowing us, as is our right under the Indian legal system, representation at the trial. “We wish to thank our lawyer in Goa, Mr Vikram Varma for attending to all that for us. We are also grateful to our lawyer back home, Desmond Doherty, who worked closely with Vikram in explaining to us the trial process and events at the trial. “Without this joint legal representation we had, we would have been lost in the process. This was an eight-year murder trial that has been very tiring. We are glad it is over.” Andrea Brannigan and Danielle’s sister Joleen McLaughlin Brannigan also said the quest for truth and justice is “no easy matter, as we have discovered”. “In memory of Danielle, we stayed patient and respectful of the Indian legal system with the aid also of the British and Irish consular staff,” they said in the statement. “We now hope not only that Danielle can rest in peace.” Tanaiste Simon Harris said he has been made aware of the guilty verdict and paid tribute to the family. “I would like to pay tribute to Danielle’s family, and in particular, to her mother Andrea for her determination and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy. While nothing can ease the pain of their loss, I hope that this verdict represents some closure for the family. May Danielle rest in peace.
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