The mother of the late Danielle McLaughlin has said she is ‘happy and hopeful’ after receiving a number of commitments from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Andrea Brannigan met with Mr Varadkar two weeks ago to discuss her daughter’s tragic death in Goa, India in March 2017 and to highlight the lack of support her family received in the aftermath.
In a follow-up letter received on Tuesday night, Mr Varadkar assured Ms Brannigan that her requests were heard and are being acted upon.
“I didn’t know what to think about the email when I got it last night. I am happy, but every door has been closed on us before and I don’t know how to react to something positive,” Andrea said.
After suffering her own traumatic experience, Ms Brannigan is calling for an amendment to the Irish Victim’s Charter to provide support for families when their relatives die abroad.
In his letter, the Taoiseach said the charter is due an update and he has asked Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan TD to examine Ms Brannigan’s recommendations and suggested naming any changes in Danielle’s memory.
Ms Brannigan said: “I would love for the amendment to be called ‘Danielle’s Amendment’. It’s a nice legacy to her because she loved to help others.
“Danielle was so kind, she would give you the jumper off her back if you needed it.
“I hope this amendment will help other families when they feel so alone.”
The late Danielle McLaughlin
The heartache for the McLaughlin/Brannigan family began in March 2017 when Danielle’s body was discovered near a beach in the holiday hotspot Goa. The 28-year-old tourist was raped and murdered during Holi Festival celebrations. However, Danielle’s mother was not officially told about her daughter’s death until 48 hours after the discovery of her body. The need for consular support was one of the key issues Ms Brannigan brought to the Taoiseach this month.
“When somebody dies far away your mind goes blank. We needed information but it was hard because we were so far away in Donegal,” Ms Brannigan said.
The family arranged for Danielle’s body to be flown home to Ireland with the help of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Without this fund, Ms Brannigan said she didn’t think she would ever have had Danielle’s body home in Buncrana.
Mr Varadkar’s letter also committed to appointing Ireland’s first ever Consul General in Mumbai, with responsibility for Goa. He said that Gerry Kelly will take up the position next year and will engage with Indian authorities on Danielle’s case.
Ms Brannigan has been promised assistance from the Irish Embassy if she travels to India for the trial of Danielle’s accused murderer, local man Vikat Bhagat.
The Taoiseach said he has directed the Irish Ambassador to India, Brian McElduff to send an Irish Consul to attend the trial before the end of the year.
Ms Brannigan wants to be in the courtroom on the day Danielle’s accused killer faces the judge.
She said: “I would hope to go over when the accused is in the dock to hear what he has to say. But I don’t know when that will be. They are saying the court case could last 5 years.”
“I hope if the Irish Embassy attend the trial it could fast track things. I want Goa to see that Danielle is cared about.
“The trial began on the 6th of April, but no one from the UK or Irish embassies attended it yet.”
The Donegal mother said her campaign for change is as much for other Irish families as it is for her and her four daughters.
“Three hundred and twenty Irish citizens died abroad last year. Every one of those families need support. We needed help dealing with the media, organising the funeral, and we needed counselling,” she said.
Ms Brannigan said she had to wait 16 months for counselling services with the HSE. She has been attending therapy for the past two months and doing well, she said.
However, Danielle’s four younger sisters have not had bereavement counselling yet.
Ms Brannigan said: “We don’t need a normal grief counsellor. We need somebody who can deal with murder. The girls would like peer counselling. The younger girls don’t know much about the legal trial now, but they need to be prepared for when it is brought up for them.”
Mr Varadkar’s letter said Andrea’s suggestions were helpful in informing how bereavement counselling and Family Liaison services can be improved.
After receiving this week’s letter with updates and proposed changes, Ms Brannigan said she is happy that she reached out to the Taoiseach and requested a meeting to share her personal experience.
She said: “I’m glad that I met him (Varadkar) and that he understood.
“I am hopeful that something positive can come from all of this.”
Letter from an Taoiseach to Andrea Brannigan – 25th September 2018
Letter from an Taoiseach to Andrea Brannigan – 25th September 2018
Danielle’s family are continuously fundraising and campaigning to pay for legal representation in the trial of her accused murderer. You can donate to the Truth for Danielle Mc Laughlin fund by visiting www.truthfordanielle.com and clicking ‘Donate’.
You can also keep up to date with future fundraisers by visiting the Truth for Danielle Mc Laughlin Facebook page.
