THE body of murdered Donegal woman Danielle McLaughlin could be returned to Ireland next week.
The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, which is coordinating the return of Ms McLaughlin's remains, said yesterday that her body would soon be released.
Ms McLaughlin (28), from Buncrana, was raped and murdered on Monday in southern Goa, India. Her body was found by a farmer travelling to work. It is understood she had been celebrating the Hindu spring festival Holi with friends shortly before she went missing.
Colin Bell of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust said Ms McLaughlin's remains were expected to be released yesterday.
"All the paperwork has been completed and her body is due to be flown to Mumbai (Saturday). We would expect her body to be flown to Dublin on Monday or Tuesday," he said.
Local man, Vikat Bhagat (24) was arrested and charged with Ms McLaughlin's murder shortly after he was seen on CCTV walking with the victim just before she was killed.
Indian police said Bhagat subsequently confessed to killing Ms McLaughlin although he denied raping her.
Deputy superintendent of police in Canacona, Goa, Sammy Taveres said that while he admitted murdering Ms McLaughlin, Bhagat refused to say why. The Indian police chief also revealed three other people were being questioned.
A GoFundMe appeal for help to fund the repatriation of Ms McLaughlin’s body raised €15,000 (£13,000) within hours of opening.
