The mother of a Donegal woman raped and killed in India says she wants to confront the alleged killer face-to-face at his trial, which has just started.
Tour guide Vikat Bhagat went on trial yesterday over the death of Danielle McLaughlin from Buncrana.
Andrea Brannigan, mother of the 28-year-old who had been on holiday in Goa, was not present but has said she would travel to India for future hearings.
“I am very nervous for the trial and hope justice is swiftly served for Danielle’s sake,” Ms Brannigan said.
“I am hopeful the verdict will be out soon because the investigation officials have collected evidence and fast-tracked the entire process, which is amazing.”
The family is represented by an Indian lawyer at the trial.
However, in a rare gesture, Ms Brannigan has been given permission to intervene at the hearing. That means she will be able to confront the accused and she said she wants to take the chance.
“I want to ask him why he did this,” she said.
“I have the right to representation, which is very unusual, but we can ensure the proceedings are (moving) in the right direction.”
Ms Brannigan said she still felt “shocked and devastated” at the murder.
“I’ve never had any bad experience in Goa and believe there are good and bad people. Now I just want swift justice for my daughter.”
The body of Ms McLaughlin was discovered in a field near a Goa beach in March last year.
Vikat Bhagat, 24, was detained the next day and has been charged with raping and murdering her and destroying evidence.
He has pleaded not guilty on all counts.
The 28-year-old woman was celebrating the Indian spring festival of Holi at Goa’s popular Palolem beach.
Local farmer Prashant Komarpant told the opening hearing how he found the body on 13 March last year.
The hearing will resume on 13 April.
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