Man found guilty of rape and murder | Global News Avenue

The mother of an Irish woman who was raped and murdered while traveling in India said her killer “stole her” from her family and friends.

Danielle McLaughlin, 28, from Donegal County, is Death was found in a field in western Goa in March 2017.

An autopsy found that brain damage and strangulation were the causes of death.

Vikat Bhagat was found guilty on Friday in the district and Sessions court in South Goa, India, and may face life imprisonment, but prosecutors have requested a death sentence.

His defense team called for leniency.

He will be sentenced next Monday.

In response to the guilty verdict on Friday, Danielle’s mother Andrea Brannigan told BBC News Ni that she was “happy and relieved”.

“I’m relieved that the person who killed my daughter was convicted today for murder,” she said.

“I lost my eldest daughter, she was stolen by us, she was stolen by my sisters and friends.

“She was also stolen the opportunity to become a mother.

“We and hers stole a lot of things.”

Ms. Brannigan went to India to make a verdict and said it was a difficult experience to see the man who murdered his daughter in court.

“He (Vikat Bhagat) won’t stare at us, he won’t look back at us,” she said.

While in India, the family visited the field where Ms. McLaughlin was found.

“It’s very difficult, overwhelming and difficult, but I’m glad I’m leaving,” she said.

Ms. Brannigan said her daughter never left her mind and she was always remembered for her “spirit, kindness and laughter.”

Rape victims cannot usually be named according to Indian law. Their identities are often hidden in situations that protect them from avoiding them in society.

In this case, Ms. McLaughlin’s family spoke to the media to raise awareness of her case.

Ms. McLaughlin Brannigan, Ms. McLaughlin’s sister, read a family statement after the verdict saying justice “finally got it.”

“No other suspects or gangs were involved in Danielle’s death, and Bargat was totally responsible for ending her beautiful life cruelly,” they said.

She said the family has been through an eight-year murder trial and has had many delays and problems.

Ms. McLaughlin Brannigan said: “We have lost nearly eight years of life now and fought for Danielle and we are so grateful that we can now start to feel sad for her loss.”

“She makes the most of her 28 years and lives a fulfilling life every day. She is so friendly and always so happy. She doesn’t deserve his experience.

“Now, we hope that Danielle can not only rest in peace, but that we, as a family, know that those who cruelly rape and murder our precious Danielle have been convicted.”

Ms. McLaughlin grew up in Benkrana and traveled to India in February 2017.

She stayed there for two weeks Before she was murdered.

Liverpool John Moore University students have been living in the beach cabin with an Australian friend.

The two have been celebrating Holi in a nearby village, a Hindu festival.

She left the village at night and the next day, local farmers found her body in an isolated place.

On Friday morning, Tanest (Ireland Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris paid tribute to Ms McLaughlin’s family, especially her mother “for her determination and resilience in the face of an unimaginable tragedy.” ”.

“While nothing can relieve the pain of their losses, I hope this judgment represents a closure of the family,” he said.

“May Danielle rest in peace.”

Ms. McLaughlin, who has dual Irish and British citizenship, travels to India using a British passport.

In 2018, then-Doysah (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar Meet and apologize to her family After misunderstanding her citizenship.

Her body was taken home with the help of Kevin Bell’s Repatriation Trust.

She was buried in Buncrana, the hometown of the Republic of Ireland.