Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said sorry in person to the mother and sister of the late Danielle McLaughlin over errors relating to her citizenship last week.
Andrea Brannigan and her daughter Jolene had a private meeting with Varadkar this evening which he described as ‘helpful and constructive’.
The meeting in Derry followed a controversial letter sent to Ms Brannigan from the Taoiseach’s department refusing a meeting because Danielle ‘was not an Irish citizen’, because she was travelling with a British passport.
Varadkar apologised to Ms Brannigan today over the error and offered his condolences on Danielle’s tragic death in India.
The young Buncrana woman was murdered in Goa, India in March 2017, and her family say they have received little support from the Irish consulate following her death and in their legal battle for justice.
Speaking after today’s meeting, Varadkar said: “I had a very helpful and constructive meeting with Ms Brannigan and her daughter Jolene.
“I offered my condolences to them on Danielle’s tragic death. I also apologised for the error my department made with respect to her citizenship.
“Ms Brannigan gave me several examples of how the Government could better assist her and other families in similarly difficult circumstances, including the appointment of family liaison officers, an amendment to the Victims’ Charter, more written information, counselling services and monitoring of overseas trials by our diplomatic staff.
“I agreed to follow up on these matters and a contact person has been assigned to her in the Department of Foreign Affairs.”
The Taoiseach was in Donegal today for a number of engagements, including a jobs announcement in Burnfoot and the opening of the new Cockhill Bridge in Buncrana. Catch up on the events here:
