An Indian man who was handed life sentences for the murder of Buncrana woman Danielle McLaughlin has appealed his sentence.
A hearing is set for this week for Vikat Bhagat, 31, who was found guilty of the rape and murder of Danielle on the 14th of March 2017 in Goa, India, when she was 28 years old.
Bhagat was handed two life sentences in February this year after a seven year murder trial.
Local media in Goa reports that crucial evidence secured the conviction of Bhagat in the mammoth trial.
Evidence connecting Bhagat to the crime included a broken pair of spectacles, with one piece at the scene and another in a bag recovered from Bhagat, as well as torn clothes and pieces of glass stained with blood.
Bhagat was sentenced to undergo ‘rigorous’ imprisonment for life and to pay fines of 60,000 rupees.
Danielle’s mother, Andrea Brannigan, Danielle’s sister Joleen McLaughlin Brannigan and Danielle’s best friend Louise McMenamin were in the court in India when the trial came to a close.
On her eighth anniversary last month, her family said that Danielle’s tragic death has had a monumental influence on the community of Goa and the legal system.
“Danielle changed Goa just like she changed every person she ever met’s life. In Goa, she was the first foreigner to have her murderer arrested the first day and have him convicted,” they said.