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Buncrana "Colour Run" to commemorate rape and murder victim

A "Colour Run" based on the Indian Holi festival of colours will be held in Buncrana to commemorate Donegal murder victim, Danielle McLaughlin.
A "Colour Run" based on the Indian Holi festival of colours will be held in Buncrana to commemorate Donegal murder victim, Danielle McLaughlin. A "Colour Run" based on the Indian Holi festival of colours will be held in Buncrana to commemorate Donegal murder victim, Danielle McLaughlin.

A “colour run” based on the Indian Holi festival of colours is to be held to commemorate Buncrana murder and rape victim Danielle McLaughlin.

The colour run in Buncrana, next Saturday July 29, will also raise funds for the “Truth for Danielle McLaughlin” legal campaign.

Ms McLaughlin (28) was raped and murdered while travelling in Goa, India in March this year. Her body was discovered by a farmer at Canacona in Goa. Local man, Vikat Bhagat (24) was subsequently arrested and charged with the Irish woman’s rape and murder. Bhagat is still awaiting trial in India.

A keen traveller, Ms McLaughlin had been attending the annual Holi festival of colours in India when she was killed.

The Hindu spring festival, which takes place every March, celebrates the triumph of good over evil and attracts travellers from throughout the world. Those taking part are encouraged to wear colourful clothes and to join the experience by smearing each other with different coloured paint.

At Ms McLaughlin’s funeral in her native Buncrana, mourners were encouraged to abandon traditional black mourning clothes in favour of colourful attire which friends say reflected her bright personality.

At next week’s colour run, those taking part will be encouraged to pay tribute to Ms McLaughlin’s bright nature, according to a spokesman for the organisers.

He said: “It was the Holi festival or colour festival Danielle was visiting when she was sadly killed so her family and friends thought what better way than remembering Danielle than through something she spent her last day doing.

“The colour run is for people of all ages and we want this to be a great day of fun for all the family. Food and drinks will be served after the run which begins at the Leisure Centre, Buncrana and travels to Swan Park and back again with plenty of colour stations and surprises on the way.”

Colourful wrist bands are also being sold in Inishowen and throughout Donegal in support of the colour run and to raise finance for Ms McLaughlin’s family legal costs. Details of entry costs for the colour run and ticket outlets are available at the “Truth for Danielle McLaughlin” Facebook page.