PM Douglas says Antigua murder unlikely to affect tourism
By Ryan Haas
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| Dr. Catherine Mullany and her newlywed husband, Ben |
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts-SUNDAY’S widely publicized attack on a British couple honeymooning in Antigua has left officials in the country scrambling to preserve the nation’s image as a peaceful tourist destination. St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas told SKNVibes.com that he is doubtful tourism within the Federation will suffer as a result of the slaying.
“It is difficult to comment on that,” Douglas said last night (July 29) at a Police Force town hall meeting in Saddlers when asked if he thought the murder of the British doctor and wounding of her husband might have negative impact on tourism in St. Kitts-Nevis.
“Of course, Antigua is a neighboring country to St. Kitts and all of us in tourism are engaged. I would hope, however, that it does not affect us here. It could affect tourism because it is a very fragile industry, but there is no reason to believe at this time that it will have any effect on us here in St. Kitts,” the PM stated.
At approximately 5 a.m. Sunday a newlywed couple from South Wales, Dr. Catherine Mullany and her husband, Benjamin were attacked in their room at the Coscos Hotel and Restaurant in the Valley Church area of Antigua. ~~Adz:Right~~
Police said reports indicated the couple was shot "when an intruder or intruders apparently broke into their cottage at the hotel and confronted them". They also indicated to the media that they believed the incident was a result of a robbery that went wrong.
Mrs. Mullany was declared dead at the scene and Mr. Mullany was rushed to the intensive care unit of Holbertson Hospital for a fractured skull, broken neck, spinal damage and a broken leg. He currently remains in critical condition and reportedly has suffered severe brain damage due to a bullet that remains lodged in his brain.
While the Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force have been reported to have as many as five persons in custody assisting with the investigation, including two security guards of the Coscos Hotel, they have yet to name any suspects in what they have referred to as an “intelligence-led investigation”.
Following the incident, Antigua’s Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Harold Lovell issued a statement saying that, “This isolated incident has deeply shocked our community and we wish to reassure visitors that Antigua and Barbuda is a safe destination."
He then stated that the government plans to undertake a public relations campaign in the U.S. and U.K. to “reassure people that the country is a safe destination”.
An EC $250,000 reward has been offered by the Hotel Association of Antigua and other local businesses for any information related to the case that leads to an arrest. Additionally, an anonymous businessman has offered a further EC $100,000 reward in an attempt to bring the case to a close as soon as possible.
