Danielle McLaughlin's mum prays for justice as D-Day in eight-year-long murder trial looms

The mum of murdered Donegal woman Danielle McLaughlin is praying justice will finally be served as the judgement is due next week in the near eight-year-long "nightmare" murder trial in India.

Andrea Brannigan also said she is "scared and anxious" about the possibility she may come face-to-face with Danielle's murder accused for the first time when the presiding judge is expected to deliver her judgement on Thursday, February 13 in the High Court in Goa in western India.

And an anxious Andrea is hoping that justice will finally be served on Danielle's murder accused, Vikat Bhagat.

Andrea, who has been living a complete nightmare since her daughter was raped and murdered almost eight years ago, plans to be in the courtroom in Goa when the judge delivers her judgement at 10am on Thursday.

There is also the possibility she will come face-to-face for the first time with Bhagat.

Speaking to The Irish Mirror, Andrea, who received word on Thursday that the judgement in the trial is due next week, said: "I need it over as it's eight years now in March since Danielle was murdered."

Andrea has been living in a "complete nightmare" since she lost her beloved daughter on March 14, 2017.

Danielle, 28, from Buncrana, was found dead in a secluded spot in India's Canacona, an area of Goa popular with holidaymakers on March 14, 2017. She would have celebrated her 36th birthday last Tuesday, February 4.

Danielle had travelled to India where she planned to train as a yoga teacher. The night before she was found dead, Danielle had attended a Holi party near Canacona beach in the south of Goa.

After almost eight years of the murder trial progressing on an intermittent basis, the closing arguments were completed on Thursday and now the judgement is due next week.

"I don't know if he (Bhagat) will be at court on judgement day and I am scared seeing him," Andrea said. "I am also so anxious I have no say on the judgement but I hope he gets found guilty. I need it over as it's eight years in March since Danielle was murdered."

The High Court in Goa ordered the trial to conclude on July 17, 2024. However, a further extension was given for it to conclude last October and then a further extension was given for it to conclude by February 17 this year.

Andrea had hoped the trial would conclude before Danielle's 36th birthday on February 4.

However, earlier this month, Andrea discovered the presiding judge on the trial in the High Court in Bombay is to be transferred to a court in North Goa.

The trial, which has been hearing final arguments since January, was left in limbo for several weeks as a decision was awaited on whether a new judge would be appointed.

However, last Saturday, February 1, the Principal District Judge refused an application for a new judge and ordered the presiding judge remain in South Goa until the conclusion of the case as it is time bound and must be completed by February 17.

Earlier Andrea told the Irish Mirror 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 now making arrangements to travel to India on Sunday for the judgement and also plans on visiting the farmer who found Danielle's body on his land to thank him as she feels she is indebted to him.

The farmer has put a memorial on his land in memory of Danielle.

"I am indebted to him as it could have all been covered up. Danielle could have been buried and never found. The farmer who found her was threatened with his life if he gave evidence during the trial but he went ahead and gave his evidence. He was the first witness during the trial," said Andrea.

According to the charge sheet filed by the Goa police, the accused struck Danielle with a beer bottle when she tried to resist him before he raped and strangled her.

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. You can donate here.

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