28/07/2008

Welsh Doctor Shot On Caribbean Honeymoon

A newly-wed Welsh woman has died and her husband has been critically injured in a shooting during their Caribbean honeymoon.

The Foreign Office has confirmed that Catherine Mullany (nee Bowen), a 31-year-old doctor, from the Pontardawe area died from her wounds after an incident on Antigua on Sunday.

Her husband Benjamin Mullany is said to be fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit at Holberton Hospital.

Mrs Mullany qualified as a doctor in 2002 and practised in Swansea.

Chairman of the British Medical Association's Welsh Council, Dr Tony Calland said: "We were deeply saddened to learn of Dr Mullany's untimely death whilst on her honeymoon and we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to her family, friends and colleagues who are left behind to grieve. We share in your sorrow, and our heartfelt thoughts are with you at this difficult time."

The local Antigua Sun newspaper has said police were treating the incident as a robbery which went wrong. It is believed the someone entered their cottage while the couple were asleep.

The Foreign Office say Antiguan police have begun an investigation and "consular assistance is being provided".

The couple were staying at Cocos Hotel and Restaurant, off Valley Road.

Visitors in a neighbouring cottage heard the shots at around 5am local time and raised an alarm.

They arrived in Antigua (flag pictured) on 14 July for a two-week stay and were expected to leave today.

Ian Fraser, a member of the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association has arrived at the scene and is trying to establish what happened.

Commissioner of Police Gary Nelson says that a Task Force has been set up to investigate the crime.

Police on the island released a statement which said that "an investigation has been launched into the events which led to the death of a British woman in her hotel room this morning".

The Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation in Antigua, Harold Lovell said: "This isolated incident has deeply shocked our community and we wish to reassure visitors that Antigua and Barbuda is a safe destination."

(DS)

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