Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said he is “fully aware of the acute distress” for the family of Donegal woman Danielle McLaughlin due to delays in the trial of a man accused of murdering her in India.
The trial was due to start again at the end of last week.
However, Vikat Bhagat was not been produced in court due to a shortage of escort staff meaning that hearing could not go ahead, official court documents show.
Mr Martin, who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs, also said “ensuring a quick conclusion to the court case remains a significant priority for the Irish and British Governments.”
His comments come in a response to a Dail question put to the Tanaiste by Donegal TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD who asked if he will meet with Danielle’s family to directly discuss their concerns over the prolonged murder trial.
Six years ago Danielle, 28, from Buncrana, was found dead in a secluded spot in India’s Canacona, an area of Goa popular with holidaymakers, on March 14, 2017.
She had travelled to India where she planned to train as a yoga teacher. The night before she was found dead, Danielle had attended a Holi party near Canacona beach.
Local man, Vikat Bhagat, has been charged with the rape and murder of Danielle and the trial opened in 2018 and has pleaded not guilty.
The trial initially opened at Court Margao in India’s South Goa on April 6, 2018, but has only continued intermittently since then taking place twice a month for 30 minutes maximum.
The latest trial delay comes despite a high profile meeting last month ago between Irish and British diplomats and a top Indian Government minister urging for a quick conclusion of the murder trial which has been running now for six years.
Last Wednesday, Deputy Mac Lochlainn asked An Tánaiste what assistance is being provided to Danielle’s family; if he is aware of the acute distress and trauma for her family as a result of the prolonged murder trial in India and if he will meet with her family to directly discuss their concerns.
In response An Tánaiste said: “As the Deputy will be aware, my Department, through the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, Consulate General in Mumbai and Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, has been providing assistance to the citizen’s family – notwithstanding the Indian authorities’ position that this is a UK consular case.
“Consular officers in my Department are in regular contact with the family, and I am fully aware of the acute distress arising from the ongoing delays in the case.,” An Tánaiste said.
“I can assure you that, together with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, we are continuing to engage with the relevant authorities. On 6 April of this year, Irish and British diplomats once again travelled to Goa to meet with officials on the matter.”
“Ensuring a quick conclusion to the court case remains a significant priority for the Irish and British Governments as well as, of course, for the citizen’s family,” he continued.
Speaking earlier this month to this paper, mother of Danielle, Andrea Branningan said: “I was hopeful the Government officials’ meeting on April 6 would have helped make sure the trial went ahead.
“But I am hurt as they had two weeks to sort his transport to court but the trial still didn’t go ahead.
“It’s like they are trying to delay the trial again – and I need it over.”
