Danielle McLaughlin is believed to have been raped and murdered (Picture: Caters)

A murder investigation has been launched after an Irish woman was found dead near a beach in Goa.

The woman, who Indian police have named as 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin, is believed to have been visiting Goa with a friend to celebrate the Indian festival of Holi.

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It is thought that she lived in Liverpool, but may have been born in Ireland. A number of people have been questioned and one man was arrested.

A post-mortem examination is to be carried out which will reportedly determine if sexual assault charges are put to the suspect.


Police Inspector Filomeno Costa told reporters: ‘A local named Prashant Komarpant alerted us after he noticed the body while he was on his way to the fields around 7am on Tuesday morning.



‘The body had bruises and her face was badly smashed. Looking at the injuries we concluded that that it was a case of murder. We sent her body to Goa Medical College for autopsy and awaiting report to ascertain if she was sexually assaulted.

Indian police named Danielle as the victim and released pictures of her (Picture: Caters)

‘We are also speaking with the hotels where she had stayed to find out if she was with her friends or holidaying alone.’

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin confirmed it was talking to its embassy in India about the reports.

‘Ireland’s Embassy in New Delhi is in contact with Indian authorities in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen,’ a spokesman said.

‘The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance.’

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.