The body of an Irish woman found dead in Spain, shortly after she bought a plane ticket home, may not be flown home until the Spanish authorities have completed their inquiries, it has emerged.
Jean Reilly (33), from Drogheda, Co Louth, was found dead on a beach near Malaga on August 30th, shortly after she had telephoned her father from the airport.
When the woman failed to arrive home, her father reported her missing to local gardaí, who later established that she had been found dead.
Ms Reilly had been living in Spain for a number of years.
She was found dead just hours after she had bought a stand-by ticket at Malaga airport, from where she had also telephoned her father, George Reilly. It is understood that her body was found with severe injuries, including a broken neck and broken arms.
It is also believed Spanish police have established that the dead woman had not consumed alcohol or drugs. Her passport and a sum of money were missing when her body was found, according to reports.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is aware of Ms Reilly's death and that it is liaising with the Spanish authorities, including the police.
"I can confirm we are aware of the death of Jean Reilly in Spain. We are in touch with the family and are offering them assistance," she said. The spokeswoman said the dead woman's body had not yet been repatriated.
"It will depend on what investigations take place," she said.
She said that if the Spanish authorities were to carry out a criminal investigation, a body could be retained as evidence. "It could be quite a long time, unfortunately."
It is not yet clear how Ms Reilly died or whether the Spanish authorities are indeed carrying out a criminal inquiry.