The devastated mother of murdered Buncrana women Danielle McLaughlin plans to visit the site where her daughter’s mutilated body was found.
The Donegal woman was raped and killed in India in 2017. Local man Vikat Bhagat is currently on trial.
The 28-year-old’s mother Andrea Brannigan told the Irish Mirror she wants to come face-to-face with the alleged killer.
She said: “I will go to the site where her body was found. Locals and tourists have made a shrine there.
“The farmer that owns the land gave them permission and they held a Mass service there on her anniversary.
“There are loads of photos of Danielle and people can light some candles.
“If the trial is on I’ll go to it when I get over there. I would like to see him but I don’t know what I’d say to him. Danielle would be for forgiveness herself but I have no feelings for him at all.
“I’ll never get justice because Danielle is not here but I would like answers.”
Ms Brannigan also criticised the Government for its slow progress on amending the Victim’s Charter to include Irish victims of crime abroad.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told her following their meeting last September it would be amended in Danielle’s name.
She was informed via email it would be finalised this summer however, a spokeswoman for the Department of Justice has said it is now being redrafted entirely, much to Ms Brannigan’s disappointment.
The spokeswoman added: “The Victims Charter is currently being redrafted in its entirety, taking account of the arrangements being embedded in the criminal justice system for victims arising from the EU Victims Directive and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act, 2017.
“Work is well advanced with a view to finalising the Charter in the near future. Engagement will continue with the family of Danielle McLaughlin in the completion of this work.”
The late Danielle McLaughlin
Ms Brannigan said: “I’m frustrated we don’t know yet what’s going to be included in it and we want to make sure it does help people who are affected by crime abroad.
“People don’t know where to turn when something like this happens and I want support for families that are struggling.”
Meanwhile, it’s understood Danielle’s murder trial could last a number of years.
Yesterday the court heard from the eighth witness, one of 50 set to give evidence.
Ms Brannigan said: “I don’t cope some days, it’s really hard.
“I just want the court case over with.
“I struggle when I see her friends moving on and she isn’t here.
“I often wonder what Danielle would be doing now.”
