MARGAO: The final verdict in the Danielle McLaughlin case has been adjourned to Thursday afternoon, in the court of the District Judge three. Danielle McLaughlin, from County Donegal, Ireland was 28 years old, when she was found raped and murdered in Canacona on 14th March 2017, eight years ago. Her body was repatriated to the Republic of Ireland later that month. A second post-mortem examination found brain damage and strangulation as the cause of death. Vikat Bhagat, 31, was the only person who was charged in connection with the case. He denied the charges.
Vikram Varma Counsel for Danielle, told media that the rape cum murder had occurred on 17th January 2017 and "the defence had laboured for 8 years to put together the case. We are hopeful," he added.
There have been numerous delays and adjournments into the court case over the years. Danielle McLaughlin, who grew up in Buncrana, County Donegal, had travelled to India in 2017. The Liverpool John Moores University student had been staying in a beach hut with an Australian friend. The pair had been celebrating Holi - a Hindu spring festival in a nearby village.
Danielle left the village late at night and her body was found the next day, unclothed, with injuries to her head and face, police in India said.
“She was my eldest and my sweetheart,” her mother, Andrea Brannigan, told said. “I’m scared and nervous. The court decision isn’t mine to make, I just hope she gets justice,” Brannigan
The accused Vikat Bhagat, who is being held in the central jail at Colvale, Goa was told via video conference that the judgment will be pronounced today, Adv Vikram said.