Tributes paid to N-sub gun victim

Royal Navy officer Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux, 36, from Wigan
12 April 2012

A Royal Navy officer and father of four children who was shot dead when a crewman opened fire on a nuclear submarine was "an utterly devoted" family man, his widow said.

And Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux's commanding officer paid tribute to his professionalism.

Police were continuing to question a man over the shooting in which Lt Cdr Molyneux, 36, was killed and a second officer, Lieutenant Commander Chris Hodge, was injured on board the nuclear submarine HMS Astute as it was docked in Southampton, Hampshire, on Friday. Lt Cdr Hodge remained in hospital in a stable condition.

Hampshire Police have been granted a warrant by Southampton magistrates to continue questioning the suspect, named unofficially as Ryan Donovan, who is believed to be a Royal Navy serviceman.

Paying tribute to Lt Cdr Molyneux, from Wigan, his widow Gillian said: "Ian was utterly devoted to his family. Everything he did was for us. He was very proud to be an officer in the Royal Navy Submarine Service. He will live on in our four beautiful children."

Captain Phil Buckley, captain of the Faslane Flotilla to which HMS Astute belongs, said: "Ian Molyneux was a thoroughly professional and competent submarine engineer and a great asset to HMS Astute and the Royal Navy's Submarine Service.

"His untimely death is a big blow to his family, who have the flotilla's deepest sympathy. His loss will also be felt by his shipmates and across the service. He was, simply, a good bloke."

Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, First Sea Lord, added: "This is a very sad day for the Royal Navy and in particular the submarine service.

"Our submarines are crewed by a highly professional cadre of sailors, many of whom are actively involved today in operations in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.

"This incident is indeed tragic and the Royal Navy, in co-operation with the Hampshire Constabulary, will investigate this incident fully. My personal thoughts and sympathies and those of the whole Royal Navy are with the family of Lt Cdr Molyneux, and that of the injured submariner."

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