By Maria McCann
Police in India say a 23 year old man has confessed to murdering a tourist from Co.Donegal.
Danielle McLaughlin's body was discovered with marks on her head and face at Devbag Beach in Cancona, south Goa on Tuesday, according to local media reports.
Police in the region have arrested a man on suspicion of her murder after her body was discovered by a local farmer 150 meters from the main road.
The woman in her twenties was found unclothed and a post mortem examination is to be carried out to determine if she was sexually assaulted.
She was from Buncrana in County Donegal and a former student at John Moore's University in Liverpool.
Local councillor Rena Donaghey said the local community is devastated.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed an investigation's underway into the death of an Irish woman in India.
In a statement, the department said the Irish Embassy there is following up on the woman's suspected murder.
"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," the spokesman added.
"The Irish Embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from New Delhi to Goa today."