THE sadistic killer of tragic Danielle McLaughlin will face a “rigorous imprisonment” during his time in jail, The Irish Sun can reveal.
And Vikram Varma — the lead prosecutor who convicted Vikat Bhagat, 31, for the Co Donegal woman’s brutal rape and murder — told how the killer “fully deserved” his life sentence.
The monster will now serve that sentence at the notorious Colvale Prison in north Goa, India.
Danielle, 28, was found dead in a secluded spot in Canacona in Goa on March 14, 2017.
She had only arrived in the resort on February 22 and at the time of her murder she was studying to be a yoga teacher.
Just one month before the eighth anniversary of her horrific killing, Bhagat received a life sentence for her rape and a life sentence for her murder at the District and Sessions Court in Goa last Monday.
He received concurrent sentences after avoiding the death penalty.
Bhagat — also described by Mr Varma as a “hardened criminal” — received a two-year sentence for destroying evidence.
And as he begins the first week of his life sentence, the top barrister in Goa spoke exclusively to The Irish Sun on Sunday about the eight-year fight for justice.
Mr Varma said: “The prison regime that he will experience is certainly tough by prison standards.
“His sentence is not for simple imprisonment — he has been sentenced for ‘Rigorous Imprisonment’.
“He will be burdened with the hardships and difficult duties that are an integral part of a convict facing ‘Rigorous Imprisonment’.
“His crime was truly heinous and it was really important for all of us that we worked as a team to ensure that he spends the rest of his life in a prison — anything less than life imprisonment would not have been justice for Danielle.”
TIRELESS CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE
Mr Varma also paid tribute to Danielle’s mum, Andrea Brannigan, 53, over her tireless campaign for justice.
He added: “I do find the strength and resilience of a mother visible in Andrea. Her tenacity ensured she monitored the entire trial and had the strength to come to India for both the verdict and sentencing.
“Most of my communication with Danielle’s family has been through their solicitor, Desmond Doherty, and both of us being advocates our communication has always been smooth and clear.”
The leading barrister also reassured the murder victim’s family over any plans by the killer to seek parole, adding: “Technically, if his conduct has been good and there are compelling reasons like attending the funeral of a family member, he could be granted parole after completing one year of his sentence.
“But his conduct so far as an undertrial would certainly not qualify him to be recommended for parole.
“He has been sentenced on two counts for life imprisonment and I have my doubts that he would be released for a long time, unless the verdict of the Trial Court is overturned in an Appeal before the High Court.
“If he appeals the conviction, we are confident he will not win.”
RIOT BEHIND BARS
When being held on remand at the high security prison, the killer helped orchestrate a behind-bars riot.
He was also implicated in a drug-dealing network being run in the prison. And since the incident, the fiend has never shown any remorse for raping and murdering the Co Donegal woman.
Mr Varma also told of his belief justice would prevail.
He said: “Like most advocates and barristers my entire professional life has been a labour towards justice with a substantial part of it towards assisting the less privileged.
“I would never take up a case unless I am convinced it would serve the cause of justice.
“To my understanding the natural instinct as well as the unwritten principle for civilised people is to protect children, women and senior citizens regardless of gender. People who go against basic principles have no place in a civilised society.”
The prosecutor also paid tribute to the police investigation, adding: “The investigating team have truly done a great job in gathering the required evidence for a conviction.
“With no eye witnesses, it was based on circumstantial evidence which is a difficult situation for an investigating team.
“In such matters the benefit of even the smallest doubt goes to the accused.”
She has missed out on so much over the years. How could someone commit such an appalling level of violence on a wonderful human being?”
Andrea Brannigan
Following the killer’s conviction, Danielle’s mother also told of her relief.
She said: “We are just so glad our long campaign for justice is finally over and Danielle can rest in peace.
“No family should have had to wait so long for justice but we can focus on remembering a wonderful daughter, sister and friend.
“We had to be in Goa for the verdict and the sentence as we wanted to see justice being done.
“I recently became a gran and Danielle would have loved being an auntie.
“She has missed out on so much over the years. How could someone commit such an appalling level of violence on a wonderful human being?”
