Inquest into Danielle McLaughlin’s murder in India to take place in Co Donegal

An inquest is to be held into the death of Danielle McLaughlin, the 28-year-old Donegal woman who was murdered in India in 2017.

News of the decision to hold an inquest was confirmed in a statement from the McLaughlin family, released by Derry-based human rights solicitor Desmond Doherty.

Ms McLaughlin, from Buncrana, was travelling in the Indian state of Goa in March 2017 when she was killed.

A 31-year-old local man was found guilty of her rape and murder last February following legal proceedings that lasted almost eight years.

The coroner in Donegal has now met with Ms McLaughlin's mother, Andrea Brannigan, and an inquest will now be held into her death.

Ms Brannigan thanked the Attorney General for engaging with her to convene an inquest in the interest of justice.

In the statement Ms Brannigan 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 said her solicitor had already begun transferring documentation that he holds in her daughter’s case to the coroner.

She said this documentation may assist the coroner and she was hopeful of a hearing in the months ahead.