“It feels like yesterday, even though it seems like a lifetime since I last saw her.” These were the heart-rending words of Buncrana's Andrea Brannigan on the fifth anniversary of her daughter Danielle McLaughlin's murder in Goa. Danielle was found dead on March 14, 2017. Goan man, Vikat Bhagat, was subsequently charged with her rape and murder. His trial opened in 2018 and is ongoing. “I remember, she ran up the stairs,” said Andrea, “to give her two wee sisters a hug because her lift had just arrived. The last thing she said to me was she would be back in the summer. She was going to Goa to teach yoga.” Andrea said she always worried when Danielle was off travelling. “That's why she had to contact me every day because I always worried that she was alright. Showing Danielle's poignant and precious last text messages, Andrea said: “She arrived in North Goa on February 24 and she stayed there until March 12. That evening she went to South Goa. Hoi [the Hindu festival of colours] was on March 13 and that was the last day Danielle was seen alive. Her remains were found on March 14.” Describing the agonisingly slow trial, Andrea said: “They are still on witness number 10 out of 58 witnesses. “The trial continued during covid but there were a lot of delays. The accused applied to get out on bail due to covid but he was unsuccessful. He fought for a while too regarding handcuffs. “He did not want to wear handcuffs going to and from court. His reason was, prisoners in India do not wear handcuffs unless they are violent of a flight risk. He is appealing the handcuff decision.” Andrea is being represented in Ireland by Derry solicitor, Desmond Doherty and in India by Vikram Varma. She said she was very disappointed she not heard from the Irish Embassy in India since the start of December 2021. She added: “The Embassy was meant to keep me informed about what was happening in relation to the trial. I have asked them to phone me a few times nut have never received a call. “I never got a
Mother of Buncrana woman murdered in India still fighting for justice five years on from her daughter's death
![“It feels like yesterday, even though it seems like a lifetime since I last saw her.” These were the heart-rending words of Buncrana's Andrea Brannigan on the fifth anniversary of her daughter Danielle McLaughlin's murder in Goa. Danielle was found dead on March 14, 2017. Goan man, Vikat Bhagat, was subsequently charged with her rape and murder. His trial opened in 2018 and is ongoing. “I remember, she ran up the stairs,” said Andrea, “to give her two wee sisters a hug because her lift had just arrived. The last thing she said to me was she would be back in the summer. She was going to Goa to teach yoga.” Andrea said she always worried when Danielle was off travelling. “That's why she had to contact me every day because I always worried that she was alright. Showing Danielle's poignant and precious last text messages, Andrea said: “She arrived in North Goa on February 24 and she stayed there until March 12. That evening she went to South Goa. Hoi [the Hindu festival of colours] was on March 13 and that was the last day Danielle was seen alive. Her remains were found on March 14.” Describing the agonisingly slow trial, Andrea said: “They are still on witness number 10 out of 58 witnesses. “The trial continued during covid but there were a lot of delays. The accused applied to get out on bail due to covid but he was unsuccessful. He fought for a while too regarding handcuffs. “He did not want to wear handcuffs going to and from court. His reason was, prisoners in India do not wear handcuffs unless they are violent of a flight risk. He is appealing the handcuff decision.” Andrea is being represented in Ireland by Derry solicitor, Desmond Doherty and in India by Vikram Varma. She said she was very disappointed she not heard from the Irish Embassy in India since the start of December 2021. She added: “The Embassy was meant to keep me informed about what was happening in relation to the trial. I have asked them to phone me a few times nut have never received a call. “I never got a](https://www.connachttribune.ie/jpim-static/image/2026/05/08/20/iconic-upload-2022_03_16-275012602_1658586031173572_620180401924287221_n_%281%29-1647452485918.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=70&enable=upscale)
