Man freed in Antigua murders probe

9:21pm Thursday 7th August 2008

A drifter being questioned in connection with the double murder of a British couple on honeymoon in Antigua has been released.

Ben Mullany, 31, and his wife Catherine, also 31, from Pontardawe, South Wales, were both shot in the head during an apparent bungled robbery on the last day of their honeymoon on the Caribbean isle.

Clarence "Cloud" James, who works on the beach near to the Cocos Hotel where the fatal shootings happened, was questioned for several days but provided an alibi and has now been released from custody, police in Antigua said.

Inspector Cornelius Charles said no-one remained in custody in connection with the murders.

On Thursday, a memorial march was held in Antigua to remember the victims of the nation's spiralling crime problem, including the Mullanys.

Non-governmental organisations, unions, the government, political parties and members of the private sector will all take part in the National March of Solidarity against the direction in which the nation is headed later today, a spokesman for the Antiguan Ministry of Tourism said.

As part of the march from the Holy Family Cathedral on Michael's Mount to the Rising Sun Grounds, a brief memorial ceremony to pay tribute to the Mullanys and other victims of violent crime will be held at sunset.

"Antiguans and Barbudans are a caring and loving people and together we can, and will stop the violence," organisers said.

Mrs Mullany, a doctor, died instantly when at least one gunman burst into their isolated cottage as they slept on July 27.

The attack left her new husband, a physiotherapy student, with a bullet lodged in his head and he died at Morriston Hospital in Swansea on Sunday after being flown home.