Irish Backpacker’s Killer Sentenced to Life in India

A man convicted of raping and murdering 28-year-old Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin in India has been sentenced to life in prison. The verdict comes nearly seven years after her brutal killing in Goa.

The Verdict

On Monday, the District and Sessions Court in South Goa sentenced Vikat Bhagat to:

Life imprisonment for murder
A second life term for rape
Three years for destroying evidence

The sentences will run concurrently. Prosecutors had initially sought the death penalty, but the court ruled in favor of life imprisonment.

Bhagat’s defense lawyer, Adv Franco, confirmed that his client plans to appeal both the conviction and the sentence.

A Long Road to Justice

Danielle McLaughlin, originally from Buncrana, County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017. Since then, her family has fought tirelessly to ensure justice was served.

Reacting to the sentencing, McLaughlin’s mother, Andrea Brannigan, said she felt “glad and relieved” that the case had reached its conclusion. However, she emphasized that nothing could bring her daughter back.

“I lost my eldest daughter. She was stolen from us, from her sisters and friends. She has also stolen the opportunity of becoming a mother herself.” Andrea described Danielle as a young woman known for her “spirit, kindness, and laugh”, and said her family would always remember her.

What Happened?

February 2017: McLaughlin traveled to India and stayed in a beach hut in Goa.
March 13, 2017: She visited a nearby village to celebrate Holi, a Hindu festival, with friends.
Later that night: She was last seen leaving the village.
March 14, 2017: A local farmer found her body in a field.
Post-mortem findings: She died from brain damage and strangulation.

Legal Challenges and Investigation

McLaughlin’s case faced significant challenges, as it relied heavily on circumstantial evidence.

According to Vikram Verma, who assisted the prosecution, proving Bhagat’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt required years of work. He said the final verdict validated their efforts.

“It was a difficult task for the prosecution to put together all the circumstantial evidence, but today their hard work has been recognized.”

Filomina Costa, the lead investigator in the case, called it a “very sensitive case” and expressed satisfaction with the verdict.

The Family’s Fight for Justice

Danielle McLaughlin’s family remained deeply involved in the legal process. Their solicitor, Des Doherty, described the seven-year legal battle as “a very difficult process” but acknowledged that McLaughlin’s mother, Andrea Brannigan, had achieved what she set out to do—secure justice for her daughter.

Despite the legal delays, Andrea remained committed to seeing the case through, with support from both the British and Irish consulates. She and Danielle’s sister traveled to Goa for the final sentencing, marking the end of a painful legal journey for the family.

Remembering Danielle

Danielle McLaughlin studied at Liverpool John Moores University before traveling abroad. She had been in India for just two weeks before her life was tragically cut short.

After her death, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, a charity that helps bereaved families bring home loved ones who have died overseas, assisted in bringing her remains back to Ireland.

She was later buried in her hometown of Buncrana, County Donegal.