Irish woman found dead in Goa 'was using British passport'

Updated
Biometric United Kingdom Passport
Biometric United Kingdom Passport

An Irish woman believed to have been murdered after being found dead near a beach in Goa was travelling under a British passport.

The victim, who was in her 20s, was reportedly discovered in the popular tourist Canacona area in the south of the Indian state.

Local media said her body was unclothed and she had marks on her head and face.

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.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin had 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."

The Department later said it was "following up on the suspected murder of an Irish woman in Goa" who had been "using 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," 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."

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.

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