An inquest into the death of Buncrana woman Danielle McLaughlin is to be held in her home county of Donegal.
Ms McLaughlin’s mother, Andrea Brannigan, has welcomed an agreement from the Coroner for Donegal Dr. Denis Mc Cauley, to begin investigations.
Ms Brannigan says she hopes that the case will lead to a local hearing in the months ahead.
A trial into the murder of Danielle Mc Laughlin in India in March 2017 came to a close in February when local man Vikat Bhagat, 31, was found guilty of rape and murder. Bhagat was handed two life sentences after a seven year murder trial, and has since sought to appeal his sentence.
Ms Brannigan said the request for an inquest in Ireland is in the interests of justice.
She said: “I understand and appreciate that the circumstances of Danielle’s case, and the fact that she was killed when abroad makes her case exceptional.
“It is very heartening that the relevant authorities, here in Ireland, showed their compassion and care in agreeing to and supporting the requirement for an Inquest to be held in Donegal, Danielle’s home, after the horrific events that ended her beautiful life thousands of miles away.”
Ms Brannigan’s solicitor Desmond Doherty has begun the process of providing all the legal documentation and contacts that he holds in Danielle’s case to the Coroner.
Ms Brannigan thanked the Attorney General, who engaged with her solicitor as soon as an application was made that an inquest should be convened “on the grounds that it would be advisable, and in the interests of justice”.
