The family of Danielle McLaughlin, a 28-year-old Donegal woman who was killed in horrific circumstances in India almost eight years ago, are concerned the murder trial of the man accused of killing her will be further delayed.
Final hearings were due to conclude in south Goa today with a decision expected next month.
However, Danielle's mother was told yesterday that the presiding judge has been moved to a different court in north Goa leaving uncertainty as to when the trial will conclude.
Andrea McLaughlin Brannigan said she thought they were at the final hurdle.
"I am disappointed. It was nearly over. We thought four weeks and now is this going to be more delays again? I need it over. I need closure," she added.
The case has been brought to court on more than 250 occasions with several lengthy delays.
Hearings sometimes lasted only half-an-hour on any given day, and on more than one occasion they have been adjourned due to the unavailability of the suspect.
Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, who is from Buncrana, said at one point there were "delays due to the fact they couldn’t source the accused within the prison".
"They couldn’t present him in the court because they couldn’t find him in the prison. This is outrageous," he said.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn called for a diplomatic intervention from the Taoiseach.
"The Taoiseach needs to speak to the Indian Prime Minister. This has dragged on for over seven years. It’s just cruel. Delay after delay after delay. We’re not asking to intervene in the Indian judicial system but there needs to be a timely decision made."
Danielle McLaughlin was only two weeks in India in early 2017 when her life was ended in horrific circumstances.
On 14 March her body was found at 8am local time by a farmer in a field in a remote location near Canacona, a part of Goa popular with tourists.
She had been raped and murdered.
A suspect, a local man who Danielle knew, was arrested within hours of her body being discovered.
Danielle had turned 28 the month before she was killed.
She was home in Buncrana in Donegal for the celebrations.
There, she spoke of her plan to head to India the following month for the Holi, the Hindu festival of colours.
It was not to be her first trip to India.
She had spent time there previously as a volunteer in an orphanage and was planning to learn to teach yoga while travelling.
That never came to be.
In the eight years since Danielle’s death, the wheels of the Indian justice system have been turning slowly.
The suspect has spent much of the time in prison.
It is understood that unless the presiding judge receives direction that the murder trial will be moved to her new court, she cannot continue to hear it.
If that happens, a new judge must be appointed.
Danielle’s mother Andrea said the delays have been very tough for her family.
"When the case is delayed, it’s stopping me grieving and it’s stopping Danielle’s sister and her friends all grieving. I want that all to end so we can get peace."
Danielle held British and Irish passports.
She had travelled to India on her UK document.
Irish and British diplomats in Mumbai have met with officials in Goa on several occasions to discuss Danielle's case.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said it "remains actively engaged on this case" through the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, Consulate General in Mumbai and Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin.
The spokesperson said: "A case officer has been assigned to the family and remains in regular contact with them. The Department will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the family."
Danielle McLaughlin is buried in Buncrana.
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Her body was brought home to Donegal with the help of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
Andrea is planning to travel to India for the conclusion of the murder trial.
An online fundraiser has been organised to help cover the cost of travel.
"Danielle was very family and friends orientated. She missed meeting the right one, getting married, having children, settling down.
"Danielle was an amazing big sister. She missed seeing the girls grow up. She missed becoming an aunty which she would’ve loved.
"Anyone who met Danielle said they never forget her. She was an amazing person. She loved socialising, travelling and meeting new people.
"She contacted every day to check that I was okay. We miss her."
Additional reporting Barry Cummins
