Justice for Irish tourist: Indian man gets life sentence for rape and murder in Goa
Body of 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin was discovered naked in field near beach in south of picturesque state in 2017

(Reuters): A court in India's western resort state of Goa sentenced a 31-year-old man to life in prison on Monday for raping and murdering an Irish tourist eight years ago.
The body of 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin was discovered naked in a field near a beach in the south of the picturesque state in 2017.
Police charged local resident Vikat Bhagat with the murder of McLaughlin, who was from Buncrana in Ireland.
Bhagat was pronounced guilty of the crime on Friday and on Monday the court sentenced him for life.
"He has been convicted for life and it´s rigorous imprisonment," prosecutor Vikram Varma told reporters.
"As per my understanding, the (victim's) family is relieved that there is closure."
McLaughlin had been celebrating the Indian spring festival of Holi at Goa's popular Palolem beach when she was attacked, according to police.
Her badly bruised body was found a few kilometres away in Canacona by a farmer.
"We, as Danielle's family and friends, are so thankful to everyone involved in our fight for justice," a family statement said, according to local media reports.
"They have treated her like their daughter and have tirelessly fought for her."
Goa, a former Portuguese colony, lures millions of tourists every year with its nightlife, sandy beaches and laid-back coastal atmosphere.
But its reputation as a tropical paradise has been marred by high-profile crimes involving foreigners.
In 2008, British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling, 15, was drugged, raped and murdered in Goa in a case that made global headlines.
Chronic backlogs in India's criminal justice system mean some cases take years to be resolved.
More than 43 million cases were pending before courts across the country in 2022, according to government figures.
Gold prices hit record high amid trade uncertainty
- 3 hours ago

Terrorism can only be stopped through military action: Rana Sanaullah
- 2 hours ago

Karachi rocks with 4.7 magnitude earthquake
- 2 hours ago
Bangladesh opposition warns of instability if elections are delayed
- 5 hours ago

Are the Oklahoma Sooners still No. 1? The Top 25 college softball teams after Week 7
- 2 hours ago

Aaliyah Chavez's unlikely route to top girls basketball prospect
- 2 hours ago
Woman rescued after 60 hours under rubble in Myanmar earthquake
- 2 hours ago

OGRA increases LPG price by Rs0.54 per kg
- 34 minutes ago

Karachi fire linked to gas leak could burn for up to 10 days
- 4 hours ago
Microsoft marks 50th anniversary amid AI revolution
- 3 hours ago

Celebratory gunfire in Karachi injures over 15 people on Eid night
- 6 hours ago
Trump hints at possibility of third term, claims 'there are methods'
- 6 hours ago