Indian man reportedly confesses to killing Irish woman in Goa
Video report by ITV News reporter Sejal Karia
The grieving mother of an Irish woman murdered in Goa has spoken of her heartbreak - as it was revealed an Indian man has reportedly confessed to the killing.
Danielle McLaughlin, 28, was found naked and with marks on her head and face hours after attending a beach party near the popular resort of Canacona.
Police said they had arrested 24-year-old Vikat Bhagat and are continuing to interrogate him.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out to determine if Ms McLaughlin was also sexually assaulted.
Ms McLaughlin's last Facebook message read: "I'm the luckiest person I know. Off on another adventure."
But just weeks later she was found dead after celebrating the Indian festival Holi.
Her heartbroken mother Andrea Brannigan said her daughter, who was born in County Donegal but had lived in Liverpool, would be "sadly missed".
In a statement, she added: "The family would like to express our thanks to all who have got in touch since receiving this awful news.
"As you can expect we are finding it very difficult at this trying time."
The local parish priest in Ms McLaughlin's hometown in Ireland said the community had reacted with horror.
"It has stunned the community. We feel for her mother in particular and her siblings," said Father John Walsh, parish priest of Buncrana in Co Donegal, where Ms McLaughlin grew up.
On Facebook, one person said: "Sleep peacefully Danielle, my thoughts are with your family and loved ones. The horrors you have suffered are over x x x".
Another wrote: "Love you Danielle, you had the most beautiful soul."
Ms McLaughlin's close friend Christy Duffy has already raised several thousand euro on a fundraising website to help pay for her funeral and repatriation costs.
The Foreign Office confirmed they are offering support and assistance to the family of a British-Irish woman following her death in Goa.
"Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.
"Indian police are conducting an investigation and we are in close contact with them," they said.
In 2008, British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach.
The 15-year-old drowned after allegedly being plied with drugs.
Two men, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho, were cleared of raping and killing her by an Indian court last year.
Miss Keeling's mother Fiona MacKeown said her heart sank after hearing of the killing in Goa, saying "it just brings it all back".
She added: "It is horrific. My heart breaks for her family and friends. I know what they are going through."