Family and friends of tragic Danielle McLaughlin stood in respectful
silence as her remains finally arrived at her home in Buncrana this evening.
The 28-year-old was strangled to death in Goa, India two weeks ago.
Tonight neighbours in the closely-knit Inishowen Peninsula town
rallied around Danielle’s heartbroken mum Andrea and her four younger
sisters.
Danielle’s remains arrived back in Dublin on Friday morning but
underwent a second post-mortem at her family’s request before being
brought to Belfast for medical procedures.
In brilliant late March sunshine, Danielle’s remains were taken from
Belfast and arrived in her hometown as light faded on the border town.
Just after 7.30pm, Danielle’s remains arrived in a black hearse which
was given a Garda escort.
In a somber and low key removal, Danielle’s remain’s were brought into
her home in a wicker basket coffin.
Family and friends of the tragic young woman stood and hugged
eachother as the remains of Danielle were quickly taken into the
privacy of her home.
Local priest Fr Francis Bradley arrived at the family home a short
time before Danielle’s cortege and said prayers inside the home.
Her mother Andrea said earlier this week that she would not fully
grasp her eldest daughter’s death until she held her hand.
Andrea said she just knew that her eldest daughter had died when her
friend Louise McMenamin arrived at her home in Marian Park on Tuesday
week last.
“I knew as soon as I saw her. As soon as she walked in the door I told
her. She did not even get the chance to tell me.
“It feels as if it was a year ago and if it was yesterday. It will
only get to sink in when I get to hold her hand.”
Large crowds are expected at her wake which will take place each day
at her family home from 10am until 10pm on Tuesday and Wednesday
before her funeral on Thursday at 11am at Cockhill Chapel.
