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| Bride killed, husband wounded while honeymooning in Antigua - Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3 Next |
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SavannahStar
 Posted:
Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:12 pm |
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| olympic wrote: |
there is nothing yet savannah, from reading he will reach uk early saturday morning.  |
I recall a report that he was not expected to survive? 
So sad.....these two young people had such wonderful lives ahead of them. I HATE stuff like this!
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**SuperStar**
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
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Location: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
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| olympic
Posted:
Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:30 pm |
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| SavannahStar wrote: |
I recall a report that he was not expected to survive?
So sad.....these two young people had such wonderful lives ahead of them. I HATE stuff like this! |
that is what was said yes, that he is brain dead, and his chances are nil.
it is heartbreaking, so very very sad...
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Joined: 18 Dec 2006
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| olympic
Posted:
Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:39 pm |
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Tragic
Catherine’s parents Rachel and Dai Bowen flew to the isle on Monday with Ben’s mum Marilyn and dad Cynlais.
The only brain surgeon to examine physio Ben insisted last night he had only HOURS to live.
Dr Marx Bowen said: “It’s tragic. I wish I could tell you differently, but there is no chance he will live.
“Somewhere between the next 48 and 72 hours his heart will give out, despite the life support.”
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| olympic
Posted:
Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:02 pm |
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Robbed.........in Same Room
A COUPLE told yesterday how they survived an attack by raiders in the SAME room where the Mullanys were shot.
Ian Oliver 51, and wife Joyce 44, woke at 1:00am to see a torch shining around the cottage.
One intruder was in the room while another was outside....Ian 51 tried to stop them, but they fled with mobiles, cameras, and passports.
The couple reported the incident in March last year, but never learned if the robbers were caught. ..Ian of Hutton, Summerset said i would never go back. Its absolutely terrible.
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Joined: 18 Dec 2006
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| olympic
Posted:
Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:05 pm |
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Ben Mullany plane turns back to US
THE plane bringing seriously ill Ben Mullany home to Wales has been forced to turn back to the US.
The aircraft carrying Ben, who was shot while on honeymoon in Antigua, had been due to land at Cardiff International Airport at 9.59pm tonight.
But an airport spokeswoman confirmed the plane had to return to Delaware – where it had refuelled after laving the Caribbean holiday island – following a technical fault.
Officials do not expect the air ambulance to touch down until the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Trainee physiotherapist Ben was attacked last Sunday morning while on honeymoon with bride Catherine, 31, a doctor.
Raiders broke into their bungalow at the Cocos Antigua resort and shot Catherine in the head. She died at the scene.
Ben was shot in the neck and doctors, who said he is also suffering from a fractured skull and broken leg, remains in a critical condition.
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| olympic
Posted:
Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:12 pm |
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Antigua has only one trained forensic officer
Mr Nelson also revealed Antigua has only one trained forensics officer and said he was waiting to hear from the UK whether they would be prepared to send a team to re-examine the murder scene.
If not, he said he had “good relations” with the FBI and would ask them to help.
Talking about Mr Mullany’s parents’ decision to transfer their son back to the UK, Mr Nelson said: “If that was my child, I’d do exactly what the parents are doing.
“Have you been to the hospital here?”
The intensive care unit at Holberton Hospital is a run-down single storey white building, with wooden slats over its windows, on a hillside overlooking the Antiguan capital of St John’s.
He also said the couple’s parents visited the Cocos Hotel where the couple were staying and were attacked, in the south-west of the island yesterday before flying home.
“They just wanted to see where their children had enjoyed themselves,” he said.
“They didn’t go up to the cottage (where the shooting happened)”.
He agreed the murder had exposed the force’s weaknesses and, asked whether it would be a catalyst for change on the island, he said: “It could be. It will be, it will be.”
The 350-strong police force, which is faced with a rise in crime which has “nearly overwhelmed” the nation according to its prime minister Baldwin Spencer, has no computers, no crime database and a 911 system which “sometimes doesn’t work”.
The calls are not recorded, but written down in a book instead before being passed to a dispatcher.
Mr Nelson also revealed further details of the investigation, in which police have questioned 31 people and taken 10 statements. Four people remain in custody and around a dozen officers were working on the case.
“I want to stay on top of everything. I don’t want to drop the ball. It’s important to me,” he said.
Talking about the shooting last Sunday, Mr Nelson said a waitress at the hotel told police the couple retired to bed around 10.30pm.
He said police thought the incident happened at 4.40am on Sunday, but they didn’t receive a 911 call from the hotel until 5.17am.
He said police first received a call from a resident in Friar’s Bay who heard gun shots, and a task force, which was already in the area working on a different case, responded.
But he said police vehicles drove up the mud track at the rear of the cottage and confused any evidence of a possible vehicle used by the suspect.
When police arrived, one of the entrance doors to the cottage was forced and the back gate had been opened.
Inside, he said, there was an indication that the couple had time to wake up before the attack and added they were found on the floor of the bedroom beside the bed.
A lamp was also on floor, but may have been knocked over accidentally by police or paramedics, he said.
Mr Nelson added there should have been one security guard either side of the path to the cottage, but they did not respond to the noise.
Instead a fellow guest went to fetch them while another guest, a nurse, administered first aid.
Asked about the absence of the security guards, he said they had been questioned and police were “satisfied (with their story) at this point, but nobody’s cleared until it’s over”.
“We feel we’ve a plausible story from them,” he said.
He added that there were “very little forensics at this point”.
Mr Nelson also said there was “no evidence” to suggest a local drifter had given the couple a tour of the island and denied that the local man had been arrested twice over the incident.
Later, a police source said investigators believed they were hunting for more than one suspect.
In the early hours of this morning, police and officials from the British High Commission shielded Mr Mullany, 31, from view as the physiotherapist was transferred into an ambulance by holding white sheets either side of his stretcher.
His parents, Marilyn and Cynlais, and his new wife’s parents, Rachel and David Bowen, are all believed to be returning to the UK.
Newlyweds Mrs Mullany, a doctor from Pontardawe, South Wales, and Mr Mullany, from the village of Ystalyfera in the Swansea valley in South Wales, set off on their two-week honeymoon after marrying at a church in the Swansea valley on July 12.
They were on the last day of their holiday when at least one gunman burst into their cottage as they slept.
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| olympic
Posted:
Sat Aug 02, 2008 2:57 pm |
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Honeymoon shooting coma victim arrived Home
Doctors treating a newlywed who was shot in a suspected bungled robbery in Antigua in which his wife was murdered today said he remained in a coma.
Benjamin Mullany arrived at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, in the early hours of today after being flown home from the Carribean island where the couple had been on honeymoon.
Ironically, he is being treated in the same intensive care unit where his late wife Catherine did part of her training as a doctor.
Dr Pushpiner Mangat, the hospital’s clinical director for critical care, told a press conference this afternoon: “Ben remains critically ill. He has not required sedative drugs at any time over the last 24 hours, yet remains in a coma.”
Dr Mangat said that if 31-year-old Mr Mullany remains in a coma it is likely doctors will proceed to brain stem testing.
Mr Mullany, a physiotherapist, has a fractured skull and a bullet lodged in the back of his head after the couple were attacked at the Cocos Hotel on the Caribbean island last Sunday morning.
Mrs Mullany died instantly in the shooting on the last day of their honeymoon. Her body is being flown back to the UK on a separate flight, accompanied by her parents.
Today Mr Mullany’s parents Ken and Marilyn, who live close to the South Wales hospital, attended the briefing but did not speak and no questions were allowed.
Dr Mangat also praised the ``outstanding work'' of the clinical team who were responsible for Mr Mullany during his transfer from Antigua which took more than 24 hours.
He said that during his transfer Mr Mullany needed ongoing and sometimes complicated interventions by the clinical team travelling with him.
“I want to praise them for their professionalism and the high standard of care they delivered,” he said.
Mr Mullany is currently a patient on the general and neurosurgical intensive care unit, where he was admitted just before 5am today.
Dr Mangat said: “Medical assessments were carried out and there were certain predictable abnormalities found involving his blood chemistry and temperature.
“We immediately commenced treatment to deal with these and are continuing to do so.”
He added: “He has been reviewed by a consultant neurosurgeon who has not requested any further investigations.
“If Ben remains in a coma once the stabilising measures which are dealing with blood chemistry and temperature are completed, it is likely we will proceed to brain stem testing.
“We cannot give a timescale for that at the moment.”
Dr Mangat said it was poignant that Mr Mullany was being cared for in the intensive care unit where his wife had recently worked during her time training to become a GP.
He said: “Staff at the unit, and across the trust, have been shocked and devastated by the tragic events in Antigua.”
He concluded by asking the media to respect the family’s privacy at this time.
He said: “This is not only for their sake, but also all the other very ill patients in the unit for whom we have a duty of care.”
Mrs Mullany, from Pontardawe, and Mr Mullany, from the village of Ystalyfera, set off on their two-week honeymoon after marrying at a church in the Swansea valley on July 12.
It is not known whether Mr Mullany knows that his wife died in the attack.
His parents requested the transfer from the intensive care unit at the Antigua’s Holberton Hospital.
Earlier today, Scotland Yard confirmed it was sending a team of detectives to the island to help investigate the shooting following a desperate plea for help from Antigua’s overwhelmed police force.
A spokeswoman said: “The MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) will be sending a team of officers to Antigua today.
“The team, which will include one officer from South Wales Police, will support the local senior investigating officers and have been sent following a request from the Antiguan authorities received through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.”
The shooting may be linked to another murder on the island less than two months ago, Antigua’s police chief said yesterday.
Police commissioner Gary Nelson said the case is similar to another murder which happened in a house in St John’s.
He said police had questioned 31 people and taken 10 statements. Four people remain in custody and around a dozen officers are working on the case.
He added there was “no evidence” to suggest a local drifter had given the couple a tour of the island and denied that the local man had been arrested twice over the incident.
Later, a police source said investigators believed they were hunting for more than one suspect.
The island’s 350-strong police force is faced with a rise in crime which has “nearly overwhelmed” the nation, according to its prime minister Baldwin Spencer. He said it has no computers, no crime database and an emergency call system which “sometimes doesn’t work”.
The newlyweds were on the last day of their holiday when at least one gunman burst into their cottage as they slept.
Today, Mr Mullany’s ex-fiancee paid tribute to his bravery and said that as a former soldier and police officer, he had always tried to protect other people.
Rebecca Gosling, 29, who lives with her new partner and their baby, told the Mirror: “He put his life on the line for other people all through his career.
“I want his family to know that I will be teaching my son about modern day heroes like him.”
Last edited by olympic on Sat Aug 02, 2008 3:00 pm; edited 2 times in total
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| olympic
Posted:
Sat Aug 02, 2008 2:58 pm |
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DOCTOR'S STATEMENT IN FULL
This is the full text of the statement from Dr Pushpiner Mangat, Clinical Director for Critical Care at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust.
“I would like to begin this statement by paying tribute to the outstanding work of the clinical team who were responsible for Ben during his transfer from Antigua to Morriston Hospital, in Swansea.
“It occurred over a period greater than 24 hours and during that time Ben remained critically ill and, as is common with patients with these sorts of injuries, needed ongoing and sometimes complicated interventions during the transfer.
“I want to praise the team for their professionalism and the high standard of care they delivered.
“Ben was admitted into the General and Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit at Morriston Hospital at around 5am today.
“Medical assessments were carried out and there were certain predictable abnormalities found involving his blood chemistry and temperature. We immediately commenced treatment to deal with these and are continuing to do so.
“Ben remains critically ill. He has not required sedative drugs at any time over the last 24 hours, yet remains in a coma. He has been reviewed by a Consultant Neurosurgeon who has not requested any further investigations.
“If Ben remains in a coma once the stabilising measures which are dealing with blood chemistry and temperature are completed, it is likely we will proceed to brain stem testing. We cannot give a timescale for that at the moment.
“It is poignant that Ben is being cared for in the Intensive Care Unit where his wife, Catherine, had recently worked during her training to become a GP.
“Staff at the unit, and across the Trust, have been shocked and devastated by the tragic events in Antigua.
“I would like to end by asking the media to respect the family’s request for privacy during this intensely difficult time. This is not only for their sake, but also all the other very ill patients in the unit for whom we also have a duty of care.
“Thank you.”
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| SavannahStar
Posted:
Sat Aug 02, 2008 7:27 pm |
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olympic, was just reading this page, didn't go back all the way to the begining of the thread, but I have a question: how did he get a broken leg I wonder? Do you know?
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**SuperStar**
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 20791
Location: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
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| olympic
Posted:
Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:22 pm |
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savannah there is just a brief mention of it.
"Detectives believe robbers forced Catherine, 31, to watch them savagely batter her husband, smashing his skull and leg, before they blasted the couple, killing her instantly."
the last detail from the antigua police was;.....that they the bride and groom were awake, in other words they were not asleep when accosted.....
the first police that arrived on the scene went up the hill with their vehicle, covering any tracks there may have been on the soil from the killers.
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| SavannahStar
Posted:
Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:34 pm |
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TY olympic.....I missed that. I thought they were just shot and couldn't figure how his leg got broke. Oh how horrific. This case really saddens me so much.
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**SuperStar**
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 20791
Location: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
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| olympic
Posted:
Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:31 pm |
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y/w savannah
Antigua honeymoon murder: Newlyweds were tortured for 20 min
Tragic newlyweds Catherine and Ben Mullany endured a terrifying 20-minute ordeal before being shot in cold blood by gunmen, it emerged last night.
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| olympic
Posted:
Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:12 pm |
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Honeymoon shooting victim Ben Mullany dies
Antigua shooting victim Ben Mullany has died in Morriston Hospital, Swansea.
Ben, 31, from Rhos, Pontardawe, had been in a coma ever since he and his bride Catherine were shot in Antigua on the last day of their honeymoon.
Ben was flown home by air ambulance early on Saturday morning and was taken to Morriston Hospital.
It was announced this afternoon that he had died at the hospital where his bride had worked in the intensive care unit before they were married.
The couple were on the last day of their honeymoon when raiders broke into their seaview cottage at the Cocos Antigua Hotel at 5am last Sunday.
Trainee GP Catherine, 31, was shot in the head and died at the scene and Ben was shot in the neck and a bullet had lodged in his brain.
He also suffered a fractured skull and broken leg.
Prayers were said for the couple this morning at the St John the Evangelist Church in Cilybebyll, where they were married just three weeks ago.
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| olympic
Posted:
Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:14 pm |
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R.I.P.
ben & catherine
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| SavannahStar
Posted:
Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:50 pm |
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Oh dear.
God rest their souls.
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**SuperStar**
Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 20791
Location: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
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| olympic
Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:37 am |
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delete
Last edited by olympic on Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:17 am; edited 1 time in total
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| olympic
Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:56 am |
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delete
Last edited by olympic on Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:18 am; edited 1 time in total
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| olympic
Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:05 am |
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delete
Last edited by olympic on Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:23 am; edited 1 time in total
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| olympic
Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:15 am |
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Terrified holidaymakers reveal how honeymoon murder suspect 'Cloud' boasted he had two guns
Boasts: 'Julie' poses with suspect Clarence 'Cloud' James during her honeymoon
The only person in custody for the brutal murder of honeymooners Ben and Catherine Mullany boasted of owning two guns.
Cocaine and cannabis dealer Clarence James - nicknamed 'Cloud' - told another young British couple he kept the weapons 'for business protection'.
The couple - who arrived in Antigua a week before the Mullanys - claimed James made the terrifying boast after he earned their trust, then stole money from them.
Their story emerged as Ben and Catherine's families last night spoke of their devastation.
In a statement, they said: 'We are absolutely devastated by the events of the past week and the loss of Ben and Catherine. We would like to thank our friends and family for their overwhelming support and kindness.'
Catherine Mullany, a newly qualified doctor, died during the bungled 5am robbery at the couple's Antiguan holiday cottage on July 27, the last day of their honeymoon.
Her husband Ben, a former soldier turned physiotherapist, clung to life for more than a week despite receiving a cracked skull and a bullet in the back of his head.
Afters months of planning the couple celebrated their wedding surrounded by friends and family just two weeks before the attack
However, the 31-year-old died on Sunday when, having been flown back to the UK for treatment, doctors discovered he was brain dead and switched off his life-support machine.
The couple's funeral is likely to be held in the same small Welsh church where they married just three weeks ago.
Although James claims he was at an all-night party at the time of the murder, the detective leading the investigation has publicly declared he believes James is a liar.
Detective Inspector Nuffield Burnette said: 'He remains the person of most interest. James's alibi is being checked out and we are still not satisfied with aspects of it. He is still denying ever meeting the couple.
'I still think James is not telling us the truth. He is on the beach basically every day and is very likely to have met them.'
More arrests are also expected after two witnesses came forward saying they saw two men hanging around the Mullanys' hotel that night.
Yesterday, another honeymooning couple - who asked not to be named - described their 'ten-hour nightmare' in James's company.
They revealed how, after gaining their trust, James transformed from 'cheeky, happy-chappie' into a threatening thug and thief.
Engineer David, 34, and his recruitment consultant wife Julie, 35 - the Mail has changed their names to protect their identity - spent two weeks in Antigua last month, and stayed in the Jolly Beach hotel next to the Mullanys'.
Ben Mullany leaves Antigua for Swansea's Morrison Hospital
David said: 'Cloud had a stall on the beach that sold clothes and drinks, but I think that was just his cover story. Actually he sold drugs.
'He came up to us and showed us cocaine and weed. He wore sunglasses all the time but when he took them off you could see he was a heavy drug user.'
Despite their reservations, the couple - from Wimbledon in South London - still considered James to be harmless.
As a result, on Sunday, July 13 they paid James to drive them to Shirley Heights, a popular area for tourists to enjoy the island's beautiful sunsets.
David said: 'Weirdly, he took us to his ramshackle house because he said he needed to change his clothes. As we were driving he said he owned two guns.
'I asked him why he needed them and he smiled and said, "For business protection". It was very worrying.'
The body of Catherine Mullany is removed from the holiday apartment in Antigua
James then took the couple on a four-hour drive around the island where he made numerous, unannounced stops.
Throughout the evening, the couple were aware James was stealing money from them by skimming small amounts off what they paid for drinks and entrance fees.
But they were too intimidated to say anything and only managed to escape his company at 2.30 the following morning.
David said: 'I got the impression he was simply trying to suss us out, to see whether we were worth robbing.'
Last night it also emerged Antiguan police lack so much essential equipment that a campaign has been launched calling for donations. Chris Ryan, a former U.S. policeman, set up Help Us Protect You after he found the force lacks basic items including handcffs, bullet-proof vests and guns.
Distraught: Ben's parents Marilyn and Ken
Rachel and Dai Bowen have brought their daughter's body home
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| olympic
Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:37 am |
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Stare of paradise murders suspect
THE prime suspect in the murder of newlyweds Ben and Catherine Mullany stares menacingly out of his cell at a police station yesterday.
Bandana-wearing Clarence James — a convicted gunman known as Cloud — is being held on the paradise isle of Antigua.
He poked his head out of the door after guards took him to have a shower ahead of a day of questioning over the killings.
Drug dealer James, 31, will be quizzed round the clock for at least three days by cops convinced he is lying.
The Sun can reveal that police are working on a theory that the dreadlocked Rastafarian — who would befriend visitors on the beach — took tourists on tours of the island so associates could case their hotel rooms to plot robberies.
Some Brits have reported being robbed around the time of attending barbecues arranged by James.
One possibility is that Ben and Catherine pulled out of one of these events at the last minute — meaning they were home when burglars pounced.
Cops say James cannot prove his alibi that he was in a packed bar at the time of the July 27 shootings.
Dance
Detective Inspector Nuffield Burnette, who is leading the inquiry, said: “James is still denying he knew them. I’ve already proved from some parts of his story that he isn’t telling the truth.
“He says he was in Lions bar, which is a dance hall, when the murder took place. He says he stayed there until the sun was up.
There are witnesses who saw him at Lions — but they cannot verify he was there until morning.”
They have also seized his rented white Toyota Corolla hoping to find forensic proof that he drove the couple around the island — or perhaps used the car to escape after the murders.
James, who is believed to have a British girlfriend in her 40s, is being held in a packed cell at the police station in Antigua’s capital St John’s.
He was expected to be released yesterday after being held for 48 hours. But he can be held longer because it is carnival time in Antigua.
As this is classed as a public holiday, he will stay in custody until early Thursday.
Scotland Yard officers who have flown out to assist the inquiry yesterday carried out a forensic sweep of the Cocos Hotel cottage where Catherine and Ben, both 31, were shot.
Sun readers bombarded our phone lines yesterday to tell how their holiday apartments were burgled after they attended barbecues organised by James — who many described as a sleazy pest.
Claire Callaghan, 29, said she and her family attended a barbecue in October 2005 while in Antigua for her wedding.
Claire, of Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, said: “We found we were the only non locals there and it was quite intimidating. All eyes were on us.
“The following night, the evening of the wedding, someone crept into the apartment and stole all our valuables.”
Two other readers said they were robbed while at one of the barbecues.
Debbie Hampton said James made constant sexual advances towards her while she was on holiday with her female partner in April.
Debbie, of Poole, Dorset, said: “He started making suggestive comments. I told him he was wasting his time but it didn’t stop him pestering me.”
It was reported today that Scotland Yard police were delayed from investigating the murder shootings in Antigua because of Whitehall concerns their killer might face the death penalty.
But the Home Office denied there was any hold-up in authorising officers to help the investigation.
The Foreign Office said it was continuing to seek assurances from Antigua that no-one would face the death penalty for the double murder.
Reports claimed wrangling over the issue meant a team from Scotland Yard, which left on Saturday, was delayed for at least three days.
A Home Office spokesman said: “Ministers at the Home Office received advice from the Foreign Office and turned round the decision incredibly quickly.”
Claims of a delay were not true, he said, and approval was given for officers to travel to the Caribbean island within “hours” of the Foreign Office advice being received.
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| olympic
Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:40 am |
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Antigua Murder Suspect is Freed
The prime suspect in the murder of newlyweds Ben and Catherine Mullany is back on the streets.
Clarence “Cloud” James, 31, was quizzed by police for three days over the couple’s bloody deaths.
But he had to be released because Antiguan officers only had until Wednesday night to charge or release him.
Inspector Cornelius Charles said: “We have his passport and we will be monitoring him. Investigations are ongoing.”
James yesterday declared his innocence to neighbours near his tiny two-bedroom house in the village of Bolans, a mile from the murder scene.
One said: “He looked upset, and not his usual self. He asked me for money for food and I gave him a few dollars after checking it was OK with the police. I just told him to co-operate with them and he said to me: ‘I didn’t do it, I’m innocent.’
“They were inside for a short while and when they came out one officer was carrying a shoe and some trousers.”
Detectives have quizzed more than 30 people over the murders of trainee physiotherapist Ben and GP Catherine, both 31, of Pontardawe, Glamorgan.
The pair died after being shot during what is believed to be a bungled burglary at their luxury holiday cottage on the Cocos Hotel complex.
Detectives said they are following up a number of tip-offs and get fresh information daily.
And undercover officers are being used in covert surveillance operations into the killing.
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Joined: 18 Dec 2006
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| olympic
Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:43 am |
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Suspect: Left, Clarence James peers briefly through his cell down in Antigua today. Right, in an earlier photo taken on the beach
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Joined: 18 Dec 2006
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| olympic
Posted:
Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:45 am |
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Antiguan police chief resigns
The head of Antigua's police crime unit has resigned amid an investigation into the killing of British newlyweds Catherine and Ben Mullany.
But Assistant Commissioner Ron Scott said he had quit for personal reasons after talking with his wife and the resignation was not related to the killings or the investigation.
Mr and Mrs Mullany, both 31, from Pontardawe, South Wales, were shot on July 27 when at least one gunman burst into their isolated cottage as they slept.
Mrs Mullany, a doctor, died immediately and her husband, a physiotherapy student, was placed on life support but died at Morriston Hospital in Swansea last Sunday, after being flown home.
Justice minister Collin Derrick said Mr Scott's resignation would not affect continuing murder investigations. His replacement has not been named.
His announcement comes a month after Deputy Police Commissioner Michael O'Neil resigned for personal reasons.
Both Mr Scott and Mr O'Neil were among four retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers who received top positions within the Caribbean island's department in February.
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Posted:
Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:32 am |
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Three more Scotland Yard sleuths arrive
Monday August 11 2008
Three additional officers from Scotland Yard are in Antigua to assist local law enforcement officers with investigations into a number of homicides, the most recent being the double murder of a British couple.
Justice Minister Colin Derrick said that the three-member team arrived on the island four days ago.
A five-member investigative team comprising four officers from Scotland and one from Wales arrived on the island over a week ago.
It immediately set about conducting preliminary investigations into the shooting deaths of Benjamin Mullany and Catherine Bowen and into other recent shooting deaths.
“As you all would have appreciated, efforts are being made at present to deal with the current homicide investigations that are taking place, and I am also pleased to announce that the Scotland Yard officers who are here were further reinforced by the arrival of three officers…,” Derrick told reporters.
Without going into specific details, Derrick said the investigations are progressing positively.
According to Derrick, the assistance being offered to the local officers will hopefully bring a conclusion to the several unsolved matters.
The justice minister was also full of praise for the support being received from members of the public, whom he said have greatly assisted law enforcement officials in solving a number of outstanding matters recently.
“Their investigations are moving along most encouragingly, but as you would appreciate these are operational matters that I cannot elaborate or expand upon.
“I wish to also in relation not only to the homicide investigations, but to the other serious crimes that have been occurring of late, thank members of the public for the increase leads that have been coming forward. They have been very helpful as most of you would have noticed that of recent dates, certain arrests have been made in relation to certain serious offences, and those have arisen directly as a result of information from the public.
“And, as this confidence grows between the public and the police, we are very confident that the incidence of crime and the detection of outstanding crimes will improve to the satisfaction of the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” the justice minister added.
Meantime, Interpol has also offered its assistance to the government as it relates to gun crime in the country. Derrick also announced that a team from the United Nations (UN) will arrive in Antigua next month with a specialist to look at the strengths of law enforcement officials and to ascertain what technical or direct assistance it can give to the government in its crime fighting initiatives.
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Posted:
Wed Aug 13, 2008 11:39 pm |
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Burial service held for Ben and Catherine
A private burial service for the newlywed couple murdered in Antigua, Ben and Catherine Mullany, was held earlier today.
In a statement the parents of Ben and Catherine thanked the media for respecting their privacy and asked that they may continue to grieve in private as they try to come to terms with their loss.
“It was our wish that the burial was held in private and we thank the media for respecting our privacy.
“We are currently making plans together for a funeral service which will allow extended family members, friends and colleagues of Ben and Catherine to pay their respects. It is the families’ intention for the media to be facilitated at this service, details of which will be confirmed in due course. In the meantime, the media are asked to continue to respect our wishes to be able to grieve in private and to try and come to terms with the terrible events of the past few weeks.”
The family are requesting no flowers as details of a memorial fund will be announced in due course.
South Wales Police has appointed trained family liaison officers who continue to support both families and the force has provided support to the ongoing investigation in Antigua.
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