'Fourteen held over Antigua murder'

Around 14 suspects are being questioned over the murder of a British woman on her honeymoon in Antigua, according to reports.Doctor Catherine Mullany, formerly Bowen, was shot in the head at a luxury resort on the Caribbean island during a botched robbery.The 31-year-old's husband Benjamin, a physiotherapist, was also gunned down and remains critically ill in hospital.The newlyweds, from Pontardawe, near Swansea, South Wales, were attacked in their holiday cottage at the Cocos Hotel and Restaurant in the early hours of Sunday morning.They had arrived in the Caribbean on July 14 after getting married in the Swansea Valley village of Cilybebyll two days earlier, and had been due to return home on Monday.A brief statement from the Mrs Mullany's parents, released through South Wales Police, 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."We appreciate the support of our family and friends and would ask the media to respect our privacy at this difficult time."Andy Liburd, news editor of the Antigua Sun, said the murder had sent "shock waves" through the whole community.He said: "They have probably pulled in at least 14 persons. What police have been saying is that this is a robbery that went terribly wrong."Mr Liburd said in Antigua, suspects can be in custody for two days before police either arrest or release them.Local media reported a spree of shootings on the island at the weekend with at least two other people attacked by masked gunmen.Mrs Mullany's uncle Gareth Jones, of Hen-dre Las Farm, Rhos, has revealed that his son Jonathan regarded the resort as too violent to return to after he honeymooned there five years ago.Mr Jones said: "My niece had not long qualified as a doctor and this will be a great loss to the community. She was married a fortnight ago and will now never see the photographs of her own wedding. It's tragic."

» More on this story... «

ITN | July 29, 2008