Mother of Irish backpacker murdered in India 'really hurt' trial of her alleged killer further delayed

Danielle McLaughlin's body was found in a field in southern Goa on March 14, 2017: Picture: Family handout/PA Wire

The mother of an Irish woman murdered while backpacking in Goa is “really hurt” that the trial of her alleged killer — which was due to conclude on Thursday — has been adjourned for four months.

Danielle McLaughlin, 28, had volunteered in an Indian orphanage before travelling there again to study yoga.

She was in Goa celebrating the Hindu Holi festival — the festival of colours, which symbolises the triumph of good over evil, light over dark — with friends on March 13, 2017.

Her bloodied body was found in a field in southern Goa on March 14.

Ms McLaughlin's mother, Andrea Brannigan, has been fighting for justice for her daughter through the long and traumatic seven years since then.

“I’m trying not to think about it too much today but it’s hard not to,” Ms Brannigan said from her home in Donegal.

A judgment was due on Thursday but the High Court has now granted a four-month extension.

This may mean the trial will conclude around Danielle’s 36th birthday, on February 4.

The eighth year anniversary of her death will follow on March 13.

The accused, Vikat Bhagat, 31, has been charged with the rape and murder of Ms McLaughlin in the popular tourist destination of Goa in March, 2017. He denies the charges.

He can give a statement when the trial is next due before court on October 24.

“It feels so unfair that he can give a statement but the victim cannot,” Ms Brannigan said.

“I was really hurt when I was told. But they have the right to do it.

“But he can be questioned on his statement so it can also go against him.” 

Final arguments from both the prosecution and defence must also be made before judgment is given.

Ms Brannigan previously said the appointment of a female judge was a positive development in the case, and since her tenure, things had moved efficiently. But in recent months, the case has slowed considerably again, she said.

Ms Brannigan wants to travel to India to visit the place where Danielle’s body was found.

A shrine now stands beneath the large banyan tree under which Danielle was found. Locals and tourists bring flowers, photos, sea shells and other gifts for her there.

“I’d like to go over and see it. And to see where she was found. And I’d like to meet the farmer who found her,” Ms Brannigan said.

“I’ve never been to Goa, or to India. So I’d like to go and see what she has seen, to see the beauty that she has seen.

It’s lovely that people have made a shrine for her. A group of farmers own the land and they have allowed it to be used for this. People send me photos and videos from it when they go there.

Despite asking for a videolink to the court, this has never been permitted over the seven years, although it has been permitted for witnesses, Ms Brannigan said.

Danielle's body was repatriated to her family in Donegal in the weeks after her death. She is now buried near the family home.

A fundraiser has been set up on GoFundMe to help Ms McLoughlin's family with legal costs and to travel to India for some of the murder trial.