THE mother of Danielle McLaughlin, who has been found dead in a Goa tourist resort, has paid tribute to her daughter saying she will be "sadly missed".

Ms McLaughlin (28) was discovered in Canacona, a popular tourist area in the south of the Indian state.

In a written statement issued by a close friend on behalf of the family in Buncrana, Co Donegal, Andrea Brannigan said: "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.

"We want to thank the Irish and British consulates, along with Colin from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, and many friends who have assisted at this time. Danielle will be sadly missed by us all."

Tributes are being paid to Ms McLaughlin who has been described as "a beautiful and kind-hearted, funny young lady who loved life".

The parish priest said her suspected murder had horrified her home town of Buncrana.

Local media said the 28-year-old's body was unclothed and she had marks on her head and face. A number of people have been questioned.

Suresh Velip, head constable at Goa Police, said a 24-year-old Indian man remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Asked about details around the case, he told the Press Association: "It is still under investigation."

The police man said a post-mortem examination had been carried out, but he declined to disclose any details of the findings.

The suspect is expected to appear in court in Canacona at some stage.

Ms McLaughlin grew up in Buncrana, Co Donegal, and had studied at John Moores University in Liverpool.

In a statement the university said it was "shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of our former students, Danielle McLaughlin".

"We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends from all at LJMU."

A spokesman would not say what Miss McLaughlin studied at the university or when she left.

Danielle McLaughlin had studied at John Moores University in Liverpool

It is understood she grew up with her grandparents and had returned to Buncrana last year when her grandfather died.

Fr John Walsh, parish priest, said the woman's mother had suffered a number of bereavements.

"The absolute horror of this girl's murder has stunned the community," he said.

"We feel for her mother in particular and her siblings."

She went to Buncrana's Irish language school, Scoil Mhuire.

Her school principal, Rosaleen Grant, said teachers and pupils alike were "just utterly shattered and devastated".

"She was a very confident, sociable, outgoing girl of a very caring nature," Ms Grant told the BBC.

"A number of the staff would have known her really well, so it's just the sense of loss and the fact she's so far from home makes it so tragic.

"She loved taking part in school musicals, she did Irish dancing, she was involved in sports and athletics. She was just an all-rounder really."

Christy Duffy, a close friend of Ms McLaughlin's from Buncrana, has already raised several thousand euro on a fundraising website to help pay for the funeral and repatriation costs.

"There's not really much anyone can say at the moment as I know we are all completely devastated," he said.

"There is nothing I need to say about Danielle as anyone who knew her, knew that she was a beautiful and kind-hearted, funny young lady who loved life and was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter.

"They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle's life better."

Mr Duffy said the Irish embassy, the British embassy, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and many close friends are working hard on the arrangements to bring Ms McLaughlin's body home.

"The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust have been brilliant and cover most arrangements and expenses, so basically this fundraiser is to help her family with the added costs of having someone with her when she returns and to give her the send-off she deserves," he said.

Rena Donaghey, a Buncrana councillor who knows Ms McLaughlin's mother and family, described their grief as unthinkable.

"This has come as a great shock," she said.

"A young girl, an independent woman, heading off to do what young girls and fellas do these days.

"It is unthinkable what happened to her.

"And for her mother, being so far away from home, it makes it all the more difficult.

"All our thoughts and prayers are with the family, that they can get through this difficult time."

The young woman was from Buncrana in Co Donegal

Ms Donaghey said Ms McLaughlin had been studying and living in Liverpool before travelling for a time in Australia.

She was in her home town of Buncrana before setting off to India last month.

On her own Facebook page, dated February 22, Ms McLaughlin posted: "Thank you to all my friends and family for making home so special and always looking after me. I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know...Off on another adventure... "

Dozens of people posted tributes on the social media website.

One 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."

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said Ms McLaughlin was travelling to India under a British passport.

"It has been confirmed that the woman travelled to India using a British passport, so the local British consulate have the lead responsibility in terms of dealings with the Indian authorities," a spokesman said.

"The Irish Embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from New Delhi to Goa."

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.