Man Convicted for Rape and Murder of Irish Backpacker in India

INIndia|

Vikat Bhagat has been found guilty of the 2017 rape and murder of Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin, a court in India announced on Friday. McLaughlin, originally from County Donegal, was 28 years old at the time of her death. Her naked body was discovered by a farmer in Deobagh, Goa, where a post-mortem examination revealed she had been raped and strangled.

Following the verdict, McLaughlin's family expressed relief in a statement, declaring that justice had "finally been achieved." They emphasized that Bhagat acted alone, stating, "There was no other suspect or gang involved in Danielle's death." They also shared their emotional struggle over the eight-year murder trial, which faced numerous delays and complications, taking place far from their home.

"We are content now with the judicial confirmation in public of what we already sadly knew," the family added, as they await further legal proceedings related to the case.

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