Benjamin and Catherine Mullany were married on 12 July in south Wales
A newly-married British doctor has been killed and her husband critically injured after a shooting during their Caribbean honeymoon. Catherine Mullany, nee Bowen, from the Pontardawe area of south Wales, died on Antigua on Sunday. Her husband Benjamin Mullany is said to be fighting for his life in hospital. Both were reported to be aged 31. The Foreign Office said Antiguan police have begun an investigation and consular assistance is being provided. Police on the island said Dr Mullany and her husband had been staying at Cocos Hotel and Restaurant near Valley Church in the south west of the island. Visitors in a neighbouring cottage heard shots at around 0500 Antigua time, and raised the alarm. Officers are treating the incident as a robbery which went wrong. It is believed that someone entered their cottage while the couple were asleep. Colleagues have expressed their sorrow at Dr Mullany's death
Tributes paid to 'popular' doctor 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. Police on the island released a statement shortly after the incident: "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 Coco's Hotel and Restaurant in the Valley Church area, the scene of a murder." 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". "Several shots were fired and 31-year-old Catherine Bowen was killed on the spot. Her husband Benjamin Mullany, also aged 31, is in critical condition at the Holberton Hospital suffering from a gunshot wound." Police confirmed that the couple had been married on 12 July and had arrived in Antigua two days later for a two-week stay at the hotel. A spokesman added: "Officers from the forensic identification and homicide units are currently gathering evidence. Several statements have been recorded and a number of persons are being questioned at this time. "This is the 10th homicide this year," he added. The minister of tourism and civil aviation in Antigua, Harold Lovell, said the incident happened at about 0440 local time. 'Safe destination' Mr Lovell 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. "This isolated incident has deeply shocked our community and we wish to reassure visitors that Antigua and Barbuda is a safe destination." A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm a British couple were shot in Antigua yesterday. "We can confirm that one of the British nationals died and the other is in a critical condition. "Families of both have been informed and we are providing consular assistance. "The Antiguan police have launched an investigation. They were husband and wife." The family of Mrs Mullany were said to be devastated by her death. A friend of her father Richard said: "Richard Bowen is here and is obviously very, very upset. "I am a friend of Richard. Nobody here will want to talk, they are just too devastated. That is the last thing on their minds at the moment."
E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon What are these?
Catherine Mullany, a newly married British woman, and her husband, Ben Mullany, have been shot while on honeymoon in Antigua. Catherine died on the scene, while Ben is in a critical condition in Hospital.

The families of the Mullanys have described themselves as "deeply shocked and devastated."

The incident occurred at 05:00 Antigua time (09:00 GMT) on Tuesday, and it is being treated by police as a robbery. A police spokesperson described the incident. "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." UK police have been asked to help in the inquiry.

Catherine Mullany was a doctor, who, before her death, planned to become a GP. Ben was a physiotherapy student at the University of the West of England (UWE), which is located in Bristol, England. Mary Price, the Media Relations and Internal Communications Manager for UWE, gave ''Wikinews'' the following statement: