Tragedy As Second Honeymooner Dies

The tragic but not unexpected news emerged overnight that the newlywed-widower Ben Mullany who was shot with his wife on their honeymoon in Antigua has now died.

The hospital treating him in Wales made the announcement after Mr Mullany was flown home in an air ambulance to the Morriston Hospital, in Swansea, south Wales, in the early hours of Saturday.

His wife of just two weeks, Catherine Mullany died instantly in the shooting, suspected to be a bungled robbery at their hotel on the Carribean island last Sunday.

Mr Mullany had a fractured skull and a bullet lodged in the back of his head following the attack.

A hospital spokeswoman said last night: "Following brain stem testing that was carried out earlier today, Ben Mullany has now passed away.

"The thoughts of all the staff who were involved in Ben's care are with his family at this very sad time.

"We would now ask the media to respect his family's wishes, and allow them privacy to grieve for Ben."

Doctors had to wait until his condition stabilised following the 24-hour journey home from Antigua before carrying out tests to discover if he was brain dead.

The body of Mrs Mullany was being flown back to the UK on a separate flight, accompanied by her parents.

Prayers for the couple were said on Sunday at churches and chapels throughout their home town of Pontardawe, in the Swansea Valley - including St John the Evangelist Church where they married three weeks ago.

The Reverend Martyn Perry, who married the couple, said: "We said prayers for them both at services this morning, at the little country church where they married and at our other church in Alltwen."

The couple were on the last day of their honeymoon at the Cocos Hotel when they were attacked in their room.

A team of Scotland Yard detectives visited the murder scene for the first time yesterday after flying out to the island to help investigate the shooting following a plea for help from Antigua's overwhelmed police force.

A statement released by South Wales Police said: "Following the death of Ben Mullany at Morriston Hospital, South Wales Police is continuing to support the families at this most difficult time.

"Our thoughts are with the families of Catherine and Ben Mullany and we would once again ask the media to respect the family’s wishes to be left alone to grieve in peace.

"South Wales Police has appointed trained family liaison officers to support both families and the force has provided support to the ongoing investigation in Antigua."

(DS)