Mum of murdered Danielle McLaughlin 'upset' that end date for murder trial is expected to be extended
Exclusive - Last month Andrea Brannigan was informed that the seven year long murder trial was given an end date of Thursday, October 17 - but now she has been told it is expected to be extended further.
The mum of murdered Donegal backpacker Danielle McLaughlin has said she is "upset" as the murder trial in India, which was due to end in two weeks, is expected to be extended.
Last month, Andrea Brannigan was informed that the seven-year long murder trial was given an end date of Thursday, October 17 - but now she has been told it is expected to be extended further.
Danielle, 28, from Buncrana, was found dead in a secluded spot in Canacona, an area of Goa in India popular with holidaymakers, on March 14, 2017.
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The night before she was found dead, Danielle had attended a Holi party near Canacona beach in the south of Goa. She was brutally raped and murdered.
Local man, Vikat Bhagat, has been charged with the rape and murder of Danielle.
He has been in custody since then and his trial which commenced in July, 2017 has been ongoing for over seven years making it one of the longest murder trials in the world.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, murder, violent robbery and destruction of evidence.
Last year the High Court of Bombay at Goa instructed the trial to be expedited to hearings three times a week and to be concluded by July.
However, Danielle’s heartbroken mum Andrea Brannigan was informed earlier in the summer the trial is to continue for the month of September.
Last month, she was then informed that a new extension to have the trial continue longer was refused by the court which ordered the trial to conclude by October 17.
Now, Andrea has been given an update that the presiding judge believes it is impossible to conclude the trial and pass judgement by that date.
The judge has requested the High Court to allow a further extension for the completion of the trial, final arguments and time to prepare the judgement. A decision on the extension request is expected later this week.
The final investigating officer has only commenced giving evidence and that is expected to take several hearings.
And the accused’s statement, which is expected to take a week, will also be heard.
Speaking to The Irish Mirror, Andrea said she is "upset" on hearing a further extension has been requested.
"I am absolutely so upset by this as it’s another setback," Andrea said. "It's heartbreaking. It's more disappointing news that's never-ending."
Earlier, Andrea told us she has fought for years for a conclusion date and wants the trial over so she can grieve for Danielle.
"I do need it to be over so I can grieve for Danielle," Andrea said.
She also said she is "nervous and scared" over the verdict.
"We don’t know what way the judge will go with a verdict. There is enough evidence but that doesn’t guarantee a guilty verdict. I am nervous and scared.
"I can’t guarantee a guilty verdict. No-one can," Andrea said, adding she is preparing herself for either verdict.
"I know what verdict I want and I am trying to stay positive but it is scary."
Andrea is planning on travelling to India for the verdict but has been left in limbo as to whether the trial will conclude now by the end of October.
In a previous interview with The Irish Mirror, Andrea said the last time she spoke with Danielle was via text message on March 13, 2017 at 11.30am, when Danielle told her she was "with my friend Vikat" and other pals.
"It’s holi and a crazy day in India. It’s safe though. I am nowhere near the crowds," Danielle’s message continued.
Andrea replied: "Please be careful x."
Within hours of sending that text message, Danielle was raped and murdered and the following day her body was found on an isolated stretch of open field between Agonda and Canacona beaches in south Goa, India.
Danielle’s best friend Louise set up a GoFundMe called 'Danielle McLaughlin trial travel costs' in a bid to raise the necessary funds to enable Andrea and her daughter Joleen to get to India for the verdict.
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