This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7528710.stm
The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 23 | Version 24 |
---|---|
Doctor dies in honeymoon shooting | Doctor dies in honeymoon shooting |
(10 minutes later) | |
A newly-married British doctor has been killed and her husband critically injured after they were shot in their Caribbean honeymoon hotel cottage. | A newly-married British doctor has been killed and her husband critically injured after they were shot in their Caribbean honeymoon hotel cottage. |
Catherine Mullany, 31, died on Antigua and her husband, Ben, also 31, is fighting for his life after what police are treating as a robbery attempt. | Catherine Mullany, 31, died on Antigua and her husband, Ben, also 31, is fighting for his life after what police are treating as a robbery attempt. |
Their families said they were "deeply shocked and devastated". | Their families said they were "deeply shocked and devastated". |
The couple, from Pontardawe, south Wales, were attacked on Sunday, the last day of their two-week honeymoon. | The couple, from Pontardawe, south Wales, were attacked on Sunday, the last day of their two-week honeymoon. |
Visitors in a neighbouring cottage at Cocos Hotel heard shots at around 0500 Antigua time, and raised the alarm. | |
Colleagues have expressed their sorrow at Dr Mullany's death 'Devastated' by doctor's killing | |
Officers are treating the incident as a robbery which went wrong. It is believed that someone entered their cottage while the couple were asleep. | Officers are treating the incident as a robbery which went wrong. It is believed that someone entered their cottage while the couple were asleep. |
Police officers are reported to have combed dense shrubbery around the resort. | Police officers are reported to have combed dense shrubbery around the resort. |
Mr Mullany was taken to Holberton Hospital, where he is in the intensive care unit. | Mr Mullany was taken to Holberton Hospital, where he is in the intensive care unit. |
Police on the island said on Sunday: "An investigation has been launched into the events which led to the death of a British woman in her hotel room this morning. | Police on the island said on Sunday: "An investigation has been launched into the events which led to the death of a British woman in her hotel room this morning. |
"Shortly after 5am this morning officers from the Bolans Police station responding to a call, arrived at Cocos Hotel and Restaurant in the Valley Church area, the scene of a murder." | |
Royal Antiguan Police commissioner Gary Nelson said: "I can tell you for sure they went to bed, and one of the two doors was forced open." | |
A spokeswoman for Cocos Hotel Antigua, a popular getaway for newly-weds, said they were co-operating closely the police investigation. | |
A bedroom at the hotel where the couple were staying | |
She said: "Our thoughts are with the families of the couple concerned." | She said: "Our thoughts are with the families of the couple concerned." |
Its website bills the hotel near Valley Church as an "exclusive resort for those looking to escape to paradise", located between two white sand beaches. | Its website bills the hotel near Valley Church as an "exclusive resort for those looking to escape to paradise", located between two white sand beaches. |
The hillside hotel has 19 cottages, set in expansive gardens overlooking the beaches, which cost up to £330 a night. | The hillside hotel has 19 cottages, set in expansive gardens overlooking the beaches, which cost up to £330 a night. |
Police said reports indicated that the couple were shot "when an intruder or intruders apparently broke into their cottage at the hotel and confronted them". | |
They said several shots were fired and Dr Mullany was "killed on the spot," while her husband also suffered a gunshot wound. | |
The couple married on 12 July and arrived in Antigua two days later for a two-week stay at the hotel. | The couple married on 12 July and arrived in Antigua two days later for a two-week stay at the hotel. |
The couple's family released a statement through South Wales Police, and asked the media to respect their privacy. | The couple's family released a statement through South Wales Police, and asked the media to respect their privacy. |
They said: "We are deeply shocked and devastated at the recent events in Antigua and are struggling to comprehend what has happened to Ben and Catherine." | They said: "We are deeply shocked and devastated at the recent events in Antigua and are struggling to comprehend what has happened to Ben and Catherine." |
Dr Mullany's parents are preparing to fly to the Caribbean on Tuesday morning. | |
Janet Davies, a guest at the wedding, said she could not believe what had happened to the couple. | |
"My feelings are one of absolute shock and horror. I can't help feeling that the world should not lose two such nice young people," she said. | |
Dr Mullany was planning to become a GP, and her husband is a physiotherapist. | |
Pontardawe minister, the Rev Gareth Morgan Jones, said: "She was a very friendly person carving an excellent career for herself in the medical profession, and very well respected by everyone." | |
An Antiguan police spokesman said officers from the forensic identification and homicide units were gathering evidence and several statements had been recorded and a number of people were being questioned. | An Antiguan police spokesman said officers from the forensic identification and homicide units were gathering evidence and several statements had been recorded and a number of people were being questioned. |
Police said it was the 10th homicide on the island this year. | |
Harold Lovell, Antigua's minister of tourism and civil aviation, said: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims of this incident at this very difficult time. | Harold Lovell, Antigua's minister of tourism and civil aviation, said: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims of this incident at this very difficult time. |
"I have full confidence in the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda who are conducting an extensive investigation. | "I have full confidence in the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda who are conducting an extensive investigation. |
"This isolated incident has deeply shocked our community and we wish to reassure visitors that Antigua and Barbuda is a safe destination." | "This isolated incident has deeply shocked our community and we wish to reassure visitors that Antigua and Barbuda is a safe destination." |
South Wales Police said two family liaison officers were supporting the families and relaying information to them from the Antiguan authorities and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. | South Wales Police said two family liaison officers were supporting the families and relaying information to them from the Antiguan authorities and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. |
Are you in Antigua? What's your reaction to the shooting? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Antigua? What's your reaction to the shooting? Send us your comments using the form below. |