Senior Irish and British Diplomats meet CM Goa's Secretary for an early conclusion of Danielle McLaughlin trial.
High level meeting between Irish and British Diplomats as well, towards continued engagement on the case and see to it that justice is delivered to Danielle.
Danielle somewhere in North India during her one of the visit to the country.
Last Friday, 19th of January 2024 Top Irish and British Diplomats met, Additional Secretary to CM Goa, Mr.Anthony D Souza regarding the trial of Danielle McLaughlin's brutal rape and murder at Palolem in March 2017.
The meeting was scheduled to discuss and deliberate on the progress made in the trial since last meeting of theirs on 6th April 2023 with Chief Minister of Goa, in which Mr.DSouza was present.
Since the High Court's Direction to the District Court of Margao, on 17th July 2023 to complete the trial of Danielle McLaughlin Murder in a time bound manner, within a year; considerable progress has been made. The number of hearings has increased a lot.
While the progress is good since then, Irish and British Diplomats continue to remain engaged with each other and Indian authorities in Goa, regarding the trial, in order for a fast conclusion of the trial.
On 4th July 2024, it would be 7 Years since the trial started.
During the meeting with British and Irish Diplomats, Additional Secretary Mr.Anthony D Souza apprised the Ladies and Gentlemen present, of the progress and the commitment of authorities in Goa, towards an early conclusion.
Mr.D Souza showed sensitivity and awareness towards the current situation of family and friends of Danielle McLaughlin, who have been now waiting for more than 6.5 Years now for the justice to be delivered to Danielle.
Every hearing of the trial is an anxious day for the family of Danielle, of which 234 have taken place. The 234th Hearing took place yesterday.
234th Hearing of Danielle Mclaughlin Trial was conducted yesterday. Some usual hiccups.
There was also a high level meeting between the Irish and British Diplomats to discuss Danielle's case, among themselves, as in how they can further the cause and bring it to conclusion, faster among themselves.
The meeting involved the Trade Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner of United Kingdom. Consul for Bhutan and India of UK. Head of British Consular Operations : Western India and other Diplomats from British Deputy High Commission in Goa.
The positive sentiment which emerged was that good progress has been made in last 6 months and that they would continue to remain highly engaged in the case and also continue to work hard on it; raising the issue at every opportunity moment available; in order to see it through that justice is delivered to Danielle soon.
While the trial is "State v/s Vikat Bhagat" ironically most of the impediments in the trial is due to the lethargy, insensitivity and lacdaisical unprofessional attitude of personnel of Goa Police. And others are just legal technicalities which the Defence has made good use of.
While the trial has seen less insensitivity on part of Goa Police, since High Court's ruling last July; but still lot to be desired on their part so as that trial can be expedited.
Ironically, an elongated trial is good for no one.
The State's resources are wasted on the trial, both material and human.
Now with a time bound direction from Upper Court, the hearings of Danielle's case has increased; which basically means the hearings of some other cases would have been reduced considering the limited legal resources and constant increase in number of legal cases.
The adjournment or delays in hearings of other cases due to fast tracking of Danielle's trial would not only aggrieve those fighting for justice in other trials pending at the District Court of Margao, but also puts a lot of pressure on trial Judge to balance out everything.
It's been more than 6.5 Years since the trial started of Danielle and it is about time that State of Goa puts all efforts towards a fast conclusion and bring a closure to Danielle's family and friends; besides also ending un necessary expenditure on the case due to prolonged trial owing to inefficiency of State itself, which the State itself is fighting.
