A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of an Irish backpacker in Goa, India. This tragic event happened eight years ago. Danielle McLaughlin’s body was discovered on a popular beach in March 2017.
The post-mortem examination revealed that the 28-year-old woman from County Donegal had been raped and strangled. The perpetrator, Vikat Bhagat, 31, was found guilty in an Indian court last week.
At the time of her death, Danielle was enjoying her travels with a female friend from Australia. They had been celebrating Holi, a vibrant Hindu festival, in a nearby village. Tragically, a farmer later found Danielle’s body in a secluded area of Canacona.
Following the verdict, Danielle’s mother, Andrea Brannigan, and her sister, Joleen McLaughlin Brannigan, expressed their relief that justice had finally been served. They emphasized that Bhagat acted alone and was solely responsible for the brutal ending of Danielle’s life. They reflected on the long, painful journey of the trial, which included numerous delays and occurred far from home.
Simon Harris, Ireland’s Deputy Premier, praised Danielle’s mother for her perseverance throughout the ordeal and expressed hope that the verdict brings some sense of closure to the family.
Check out this related article: High-Intensity Earthquake Strikes Delhi, India: Panic Grips the Capital
Source link