THE body of murdered Co Donegal woman Danielle McLaughlin was found in an isolated area often visited by couples, an Indian court has been told.
The 28-year-old, from Buncrana, was killed in Goa in March last year.
A local man, Vikat Bhagat, was arrested and charged with her rape and murder.
On the second day of his trial at the Sessions Court of Margao, South Goa, Judge Sayonara Telles was told Ms McLaughlin’s body was found between Agonda and Canacona beaches.
A keen backpacker, she had spent the previous evening celebrating the Indian festival of Holi with friends.
Farmer Prashant Komarpanth said Ms McLaughlin’s arms and legs were outstretched when he found her body close to a main road while on his way to his farm on the morning of March 13.
At a hearing last week, Mr Komarpanth said the Irish woman had suffered serious head and facial injuries.
Much of yesterday’s proceedings were taken up with cross-examination by Bhagat’s lawyer, Arun Brar De Sa.
The lawyer focused heavily on “panchnama of the crime scene” - details presented by five different people.
The panchnama is drawn up by a mediator and is used by Indian courts to test the evidence of police officers who attend the scene of an alleged crime.
Mr Komarpanth was questioned at length about the compiling of the panchnama.
The witness told the trial that Ms McLaughlin’s body remained at the scene until police removed it around 2pm on the afternoon of March 13.
He was also questioned about the area where Ms McLaughlin was found.
Mr Komarpanth said it was an isolated area.
“It is often visited by couples and groups. They sit around and drink,” he said.
The trial was adjourned until April 24 when the mediator who compiled the panchnama is expected to be called.
Ms McLaughlin’s mother, Andrea Brannigan, is expected to travel to Goa for the delivery of the verdict at the end of the trial.
