Less than 24 hours after an Irish woman was found murdered in south Goa, police on Wednesday claimed to have cracked the case with the arrest of a history-sheeter, Vikas Bhagat.

"We have arrested Bhagat. He has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity," Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares told reporters here.

According to the police, the 25-year-old deceased had come with a friend and had participated in Holi celebrations in coastal Canacona village, known for its popular beaches, before being found dead on Tuesday.

Police, suspecting rape, have sent the body to the Goa Medical College near Panaji for post-mortem.

"The body was lying in a pool of blood without clothes and there were injuries on the head and face," Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares said.

Bhagat has been booked for murder.