Goa murder victim Danielle McLaughlin’s funeral takes place in Ireland as hundreds of family and friends wear colourful outfits in tribute to a ‘bright and vibrant girl’
Mourners turned out to say their final farewell to the tragic backpacker who was murdered in India two weeks ago
HUNDREDS of family and friends of tragic backpacker Danielle McLaughlin, who was found murdered at an Indian beach resort, wore bright colours for her funeral at her hometown in Ireland this morning.
Mourners were told not to allow her “callous" killing to “have the final word” - after they were asked to snub the usual dress code of black and wear colourful outfits instead to "celebrate her life".
Danielle was travelling in Goa when she was raped and murdered on March 14 in a killing that shocked the backpacker community.
Her body was discovered in Canacona, a popular tourist area in the south of the Indian state and was returned home earlier this week.
Father Francis Bradley told those gathered at at her funeral at Cockhill Chapel in Buncrana, Donegal that Danielle "left a legacy of love".
The parish priest described Daniella as a "colourful character" and was a "beautiful daughter, a cherished granddaughter, a thoughtful sister, a loyal friend, a free-spirit, a remarkable classmate and a gentle neighbour".
Fr Bradley said: "Although intensely private, Danielle has made a huge impression on people’s lives. She was disarmingly kind and forgiving.
“Her warm nature and open heart drew people into her ever-widening, extensive and international circle of friends.
“She had a gentle but powerful way with her – for it seems that just one encounter with her was enough to change someone’s life.”
He added: "Her legacy should be that of joy and thanksgiving and peace. We cannot allow the brevity of Danielle’s life, or the malice which cut it short, to spoil her memory or impair her beauty."
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The hearse carrying her coffin was adorned with flowers. with the words "Sister, I hope U win" written in bright flowers, as her funeral took place.
Among the chief mourners were Danielle’s mum Andrea and sisters Joleen, Traigheannach, Seanne and Sky Marie.
Following her funeral mass, Danielle’s remains were carried in her wicker coffin to the adjoining cemetery to be buried alongside her late grandparents.
Before the funeral, family and friends presented Fr Bradley with four symbols of Danielle’s life.
These included a holy bracelet from Mother Teresa care home in India, which was presented by friend Christy Duffy, a family photo which was presented by sister Joleen, Danielle’s diary which was presented by friend Louise McMenamin and Danielle guitar which was presented by friend Ben Taggart.
Close friends Christy Duffy and Louise McMenamin asked mourners to wear colourful outfits as Danielle's wish would have been that she was remembered as "bright and vibrant young girl".
They said: "Friends of Danielle have asked those attending her funeral not to abide by the usual dress code of black and that in order to celebrate the life of such a bright and vibrant young girl, that an effort should be made instead to match this brightness by wearing vibrant colours."
Christy and Louise added: "We are obviously heartbroken at the loss of our very close friend, but we would like to honour her in the way she would have liked, not focusing on the horrors of the world and giving in to hate, but honouring kindness and expressing our love for Danielle."
Danielle had travelled to India in February on a British passport.
A postmortem found she had been sexually assaulted before being killed by a number of blows to the head.
Vikat Bhagat, a 24-year-old local, has confessed to the crime and been charged by Indian police.