Daniel O'Callaghan (24) from Rathmines, Dublin, was attacked during a holiday in April 2003. O'Callaghan, who managed a shop in Dublin's Ilac Centre, was attacked on the first night of a week-long holiday with three friends in Playa del Ingles.

He was set upon, beaten and robbed as he walked the short distance to his apartment from an Irish bar in the resort. He suffered massive brain injuries and lay severely brain-damaged in a coma for two weeks before dying.

O'Callaghan's parents were at his bedside in the island's capital, Las Palmas, when he died and they have campaigned to have the case solved since his death. They were unavailable for comment when contacted by the Sunday Tribune last night.

Spanish police arrested the 30-year-old Algerian man, who is believed to have lived near the resort for several years, on Friday.

It is understood that he will be brought before a judge within 72 hours of his arrest to be questioned, but his name will not be released unless he stands trial.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs told the Sunday Tribune last night that Irish consular officials in the Canaries had been made aware of the arrest.

"We were kept aware of the situation by the Spanish authorities and we have been in touch with the family, " the spokesman said.