Overview

• Danielle McLaughlin, a 28-year-old Irish backpacker, was raped and murdered in Goa, India, in March 2017 during Holi celebrations.
• Vikat Bhagat, a local man, was found guilty of her murder and sentenced to life imprisonment by an Indian court in February 2025.
• The Irish Attorney General has directed an inquest in County Donegal under Section 24(1) of the Coroners Act 1962, following a request from the family.
• The inquest is a necessary step for issuing a death certificate in Ireland, which has yet to be provided for Danielle.
• The family’s solicitor is preparing documentation for the Donegal coroner to support the upcoming inquest, expected in the coming months.