Man flies home with girlfriend's remains
Her remains arrived at Dublin Airport yesterday morning.
They were accompanied by Barry Murphy, the dead woman's partner who spent days searching for the body among the makeshift morgues of Phi Phi and Phuket, two tourist areas badly hit by the tsunami.
The 27-year-old Ballyfermot woman died when the massive wave swept over the island of Phi Phi on December 26. She and Mr Murphy had only arrived on the island 40 minutes earlier. Mr Murphy was injured in the disaster.
No details of the funeral arrangements have been released, as the family has asked for privacy.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern expressed his condolences to the family yesterday.
Mr Ahern told Joe Duffy's Liveline: "Obviously to sympathise with the family. They have been through a really, really hard few weeks and our sympathies to the family.
"And to all those so close to her and all her friends in Ireland to give our sympathies from the Government and our sympathies, I am sure, from everybody who listens to your programme," said the Taoiseach.
There are serious concerns for three other Irish people, while officials have still to confirm that four others, described as at "medium risk", are safe.
Two gardaí are leading the search for Lucy Coyle, Conor Keightley and Michael Murphy.
Thai websites have listed those three as missing along with three other people.
A handful remain in hospital, being treated for injuries suffered in the tsunami.
The body of Ms Finnegan was returned more quickly than expected. Officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs had said they hoped the body would be home before the end of the week, but cautioned it could be longer.
There were fears that it would not be released without DNA confirmation, though these proved to be unfounded.
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