The search for a 26-year-old Irish woman in east India has been called off after she phoned home this weekend.
Ms Darina Frances O'Shea, a teacher from Kenmare in Co Kerry, had not phoned home since Christmas Day.
Her mother notified gardaí last week and a search had begun in the state of Orissa, where she was last seen. Her disappearance made front-page news in some newspapers on Saturday.
No money had been withdrawn from her bank account since December 22nd and her e-mails had not been checked since January 12th.
It was believed she intended travelling to the tribal area of the state of Orissa.
However, Darina, who likes to travel to areas largely untouched by modern influence and has a keen interest in language and cultures, phoned home on her birthday on Saturday at 4 p.m., much to the relief of her parents and four younger siblings.
She had heard nothing of the nationwide appeal for information or of the search by the Department of Foreign Affairs and tour operators, her mother, Mrs Mary O'Shea, said yesterday. She told the family member who took the call on Saturday that she had a strong feeling she should phone home, said Mrs O'Shea.
She had been in a remote area where there was no telephone nearby. She made contact from a town in the state of Bihar, north of Orissa.
Mrs O'Shea said they were all very relieved and grateful to those who had helped in the attempt to trace her daughter.
Mrs O'Shea, who has yet to speak to Darina, was awaiting further contact from her last night to find out further details of her whereabouts and plans.