Latest news with #AndreaBrannigan
BBC News
15-05-2025
- BBC News
Danielle McLaughlin: Mother of Irish backpacker murdered in India welcomes inquest
The mother of an Irish backpacker who was raped and murdered in India has said she hopes an inquest into her death will "finally lead to getting a death certificate".Danielle McLaughlin, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in the state of Goa in March 2017.A post-mortem examination at the time found brain damage and strangulation as the cause of a trial lasting eight years, Vikat Bhagat was found guilty of raping and murdering the 28 year old and received a life sentence at the District and Sessions Court in South Goa, India, in February and is now appealing the sentence. Ms McLaughlin's mother, Andrea Brannigan, told BBC News NI "all I ever wanted was an inquest locally so hopefully this will finally lead to getting a death certificate".Ms Brannigan also said, in a statement issued on behalf of her solicitor, that she was "grateful to the attorney general" that the inquest into her daughter's death will mother said she was told the inquest, which she has been calling on for years, will happen in Donegal "on the grounds that it would be advisable, and in the interests of justice".Ms Brannigan said her solicitor had begun the process of providing the legal documentation to the coroner to assist in his investigation."I understand and appreciate that the circumstances of Danielle's case, and the fact that she was killed when abroad makes her case exceptional," she added."It is very heartening that the relevant authorities here in Ireland showed their compassion and care in agreeing to and supporting the requirement for an inquest to be held in Donegal, Danielle's home, after the horrific events that ended her beautiful life thousands of miles away." 'Compassion and care' BBC News NI has contacted the Office of the Attorney General in Dublin for solicitor Des Doherty told BBC News NI an inquest was requested so a death certificate could be issued to the family."The family welcomes this judicial investigation in the form of an inquest in Donegal even though Danielle's death happened abroad as this is allowed in certain circumstances under Irish law," Mr Doherty added. What happened to Danielle McLaughlin? Rape victims cannot usually be named under Indian law. Their identities are often hidden in a bid to protect them from being shunned in this case, Danielle McLaughlin's family have spoken to the media to raise awareness of her McLaughlin had turned 28 the month before her death and had been home in Buncrana for the had only been in India for two weeks when she was Liverpool John Moores University student had been staying in a beach hut with an Australian pair had been celebrating Holi, a Hindu festival, in a nearby village. She left the village at night and her body was found the next day by a local farmer in an isolated case was brought to court on more than 250 occasions with several lengthy delays.
BreakingNews.ie
15-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Inquest into Danielle McLaughlin's murder in India to take place in Co Donegal
An inquest is to be held into the death of Danielle McLaughlin, the 28-year-old Donegal woman who was murdered in India in 2017. News of the decision to hold an inquest was confirmed in a statement from the McLaughlin family, released by Derry-based human rights solicitor Desmond Doherty. Advertisement Ms McLaughlin, from Buncrana, was travelling in the Indian state of Goa in March 2017 when she was killed. A 31-year-old local man was found guilty of her rape and murder last February following legal proceedings that lasted almost eight years. The coroner in Donegal has now met with Ms McLaughlin's mother, Andrea Brannigan, and an inquest will now be held into her death. Ms Brannigan thanked the Attorney General for engaging with her to convene an inquest in the interest of justice. In the statement Ms Brannigan said: 'I understand and appreciate that the circumstances of Danielle's case, and the fact that she was killed when abroad, makes her case exceptional. 'It is very heartening that the relevant authorities, here in Ireland, showed their compassion and care in agreeing to and supporting the requirement for an inquest to be held in Donegal, Danielle's home, after the horrific events that ended her beautiful life thousands of miles away.' Ms Brannigan said her solicitor had already begun transferring documentation that he holds in her daughter's case to the coroner. She said this documentation may assist the coroner and she was hopeful of a hearing in the months ahead.
Irish Times
15-05-2025
- Irish Times
Inquest into Danielle McLaughlin's death in India to take place in Donegal
An inquest is to be held into the death of Danielle McLaughlin , the 28-year-old Buncrana, Co Donegal , woman who was murdered in India in 2017. News of the decision to hold an inquest was confirmed in a statement from the McLaughlin family, released by Derry- based human rights solicitor Desmond Doherty. Ms McLaughlin was raped and killed in Goa, India, in March 2017. Following her death an eight-year trial led to the conviction of Vikat Bhagat, 31, who was sentenced to life imprisonment . Ms McLaughlin's mother Andrea Brannigan thanked the Donegal coroner Dr Denis McCauley for confirming an inquest would now be opened . READ MORE In the statement Ms Brannigan said: 'I understand and appreciate that the circumstances of Danielle's case, and the fact that she was killed when abroad, makes her case exceptional. 'It is very heartening that the relevant authorities, here in Ireland, showed their compassion and care in agreeing to and supporting the requirement for an inquest to be held in Donegal, Danielle's home, after the horrific events that ended her beautiful life thousands of miles away.' Ms Brannigan said her solicitor had already begun transferring documentation that he holds in her daughter's case to the coroner. She said this documentation may assist the coroner and she was hopeful of a hearing in the months ahead. [ Man jailed for life for rape and murder of Danielle McLaughlin in India Opens in new window ] Ms McLaughlin had previously spent time in India as a volunteer in an orphanage and was planning to learn to teach yoga while travelling. She had turned 28 the month before her death at home in Buncrana, before returning to India. She was there two weeks when she was murdered. The case endured lengthy delays before the guilty verdict was reached on February 14th of the rape and murder of Ms McLaughlin.
