The remains of Danielle McLaughlin arrive back at family home in Buncrana tonight (Pic By Donal Donn/North West Newspix
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 Tuesda 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.
Family and friends stand in respectful silence as the remains of Danielle McLaughlin arrived back at her family home in Buncrana tonight (Pic By Donal Donn/North West Newspix)
“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.
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