Owners for the Pagua Guest House, Rick and Alicia Davison remain patients at the Princess Margaret Hospital this morning.
Reports indicate that Rick suffered multiple skull fractures during the horrific attack that took place at the property yesterday, leaving one man dead.
Dead is Joe Costello, a 43-year-old Irish national, who was employed on-island by another hotel establishment, while
Davison’s wife, Alicia, also remains in hospital nursing wounds. She too was beaten during the incident.
Reports have surfaced that the police have arrested three men in connection with the incident. However the police have not confirmed this despite repeated attempts by Dominica News Online for a report on this matter.
The couple, who hails from the US, has been living in Dominica since 2007.
Actually Derek there are two negative comments as mine was somewhat negative regarding the problems in the Marigot/Woodfordhill area. I do love Dominica but the issues of this area need to be recognized as do the historical cultural differences within Dominca that are at the root of the problems I believe. An isolated “English” population that to a degree has a different culture than the rest of the island. Diversity is a good thing and it needs to be nurtured but also Government needs to act to bring the national community together while nurturing the differences. Dominica is truly a magical place and one I will hope to return to in the future but there is a malaise in the northeast that needs to be healed. There too is a need to deal with poverty that ultimately is at the root of any crime anywhere.
I would just like to say that there is one very negative comment in these postings where a tourist says that having enjoyed five weeks in this Country he will not only never return but also strongly recommend to his friends never to come!
SHAME ON YOU
Get your facts right, Dominica is both beautiful and safe
My heart goes out to Rick and Alicia. Such great people. Hope you guys recover very soon from you all injury.
We have gone too soft on criminals in our country, listen if I were to kill someone for no apparent reason and knows the price I am going to pay for such a crime I would certainly think twice, no soft option of sending those criminals to that holiday camp they call the state prison, were they work on projects like the art of breaking into people properties, why not get them to clean the dirty areas on the Island put them in yellow covers and chains, no mattresses to sleep on, no TV, make life hard for those criminals give them an incentive not to want to return prison, there are people who condone this with such comments there are crimes all over the world, it’s all right to have such an opinion until they themselves or their family becomes a victim as such brutal crimes, just imagine the bad publicity this gives to our country when foreigners read this on the internet. I certainly would not want to go somewhere knowing that I am likely to get killed; if they don’t want to do the time don’t do the crime. It’s up to the judges to stop mothering those criminals no more mister nice guy.
R…..I……P JOE YOU WERE A GOOD MAN
get well rick an alica
We spent the winter of 2008 in Dominica in the North. We have not returned because of the uncomfortable feeling we felt. While there we met Rick and Alicia and wish them a speedy recovery. We also met a number of wonderful people. Unfortunately we also met far too many victims of crime. In particular we felt very uncomfortable in the Woodfordhill area. Again it was just a feeling with no basis of fact. But we are very well traveled and despite the wonderful place and many wonderful people just did not feel safe.
This area bad one for foreigners. A hotspot. Calibishie to Marigot too much crime and the foreign businesses cover it up to make sure more tourist come.
Police … ha ha ha
First, my sincere condolences to Joe’s family, and to Rick and Alicia my apologies for this savage and barbarous act, and my best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. I am ashamed that this happened in my island. But to the authorities on the island, PM Skerrit, President Liverpool and Commisioner of p Police Carette, we the people need more protection from a more profressional police force. If the police were more professional and saw their prime duty as the routine protection of the people, such criminal barbarism would not now have escalated to engulf returnees, new settlers, visiting yatchs, tourists and the tourist industry. Too bad, a few criminals and a derelict leadership will sink my island.
This story makes me feel so sad. How could those thugs be so heartless to do something like that? People must possess a hardened, wicked, satanic heart to do something like that and take a person’s life.
What have they done to you to treat them inhumanely and deprive a gentleman of his life and injuring the others? You want to live? You do not deserve to live.
If they are the perpetrators who were caught I do hope they do not get bail. They should be imprisoned for the rest of their life with no parole.
Repent you thugs! Otherwise your lot will be in Satan’s cauldron of everlasting fire.
Here is what Our Lord Jesus Christ will say to the wicked, the damned who condemned themselves by their evil works: “Depart from Me ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Rick and ALICIA i wish you both a speedy recover and I hope that the actions of these demons does not cause you to give up hope on Dominica. I call for all Dominicans to come together and embrace these people and rally to protect them as you would your own family. ON behalf of all Dominicans i apologize for your terrible ordeal, The same goes out to Joe’s family. This is heartbreaking . One love
speedy recovery may god continue to pour his blessings upon u richly for he never gives us more than we can bear one love and to the family of mr joe deepest sympathy r i p brother
Bring back the hangman.Too much killing n stealing is going on in dominica.this people bring income to dominican n that’s their reward. shame on dominican who think they can do what they want to people property n get away with it. I wish them a speedy recovery, may joe soul R I P .
them bastard who did such,shall not get away in the eyes of god for sure.
THE RESPONSE FROM THE POLICE REGARDNG AN INCREASE IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ON THE NORTH WAS DELIBERATELY IGNORED BY THE BOTH THE COMISSIONER AND THE DISTRIC STATIONS.
NO ATTENTION WAS PAID TO COMPLAINTS, SO WITH THAT NOTE THE CRIMINALS WERE SURE THAT IT IS BUSINESS AS USUAL.
THE CHIEF SHOULD HAVE SPOKEN OUT AGAINST ALL THESE ACTIVITY DOSENT MATTER HOW MINNOR THEY SEEM.AT LIST SOME OF THOSE POLICEMEN ON THE ROAD GIVING PEOPLE TRAFFIC TICKETS IN ROSEAU COULD BE UTILIZED IN PATROLS GEARED TOWARDS CRIME PREVENTION.I PRAY THAT THE P.M WILL WORK IN THE INTEREST OF OUR FRAGILE TOURIST INDUSTRY AND CONSIDER AN ASERTIVE,PUBLIC ORIENTED,DELEGENT, AND CONFIDENTIAL CHEIF.
The biggest problem is the police. They too like to hide those criminals. Investigations taking too long and court proceedings take too long. I can already see nothing will come out of this. The police is too secretive.
well i dont know these ppl but from what i read they seems to be nice cool generous ppl i am sorry to hear but rick and alicia speedy recoveryand to the family of the decease keep the faith god dont sleep nor slumber he pays death without money
WHAT IN MY COUNTRY COMING TO we need lots of prays, people god save us
I have been on the island for 5 weeks and I have really enjoyed myself. This incident is so sickening and foolish that I will never return here again. I will be making a very strong recommendation to as many of my coleagues as posible NOT TO VIVIT DOMINICA AGAIN AS YOU MAY NOT RETURN HOME
From
A very sad visitor
i pray for the family and friends of the deseased and wish that those who were hospitalised a speedy recovery
You’ve enjoyed yourself yet you let one incident that didn’t directly affect you drive you to condemn our entire country? People get robbed and killed everywhere in the world. And remember these people weren’t tourists.
This could have happened anywhere. Don’t tell me that the country where you live dont have crime.
Your response to this horrible, violent and uncommon crime is regretable. After you have spent 5 enjoyable weeks on this beautiful Island we call home, we bid you farewell. I will assume that you met many lovely people while you were here, As i know , and am one of the many. But please do not, DO NOT,send any message out that these actions characterize Dominica. We are good people.
I am a naturalized Dominican, white. I have been a “tourist” here for near 35 years now and have enjoyed myself as well. I will assume that you encountered many wonderful people in your weeks here. As I have in my time.
Please read the heartfelt comments linked to all of these articles. Understand that this Horrible, Violent and uncommon crime will surely change our Nation. As you can see the population is grieving.
Violent crime, as you know is a world wide epidemic. In our small population it is more transparent.
Knowing the injured peoples in this crime leaves me sad and bresthless.
Knowing that you will spread more negativity in your country of origin, sadder still.
Excuse me! Who do you think you are to say something like that about my country and my people? Do you live under a rock? What happened is regrettable, but to say that you are going to tell people not to come here is a real shame. But since you have probably already started your propaganda, good luck to you and that rock you came from. Like the majority of warm and friendly Dominians, I want to express my sympathy to those who lost a loved one and my prayers to those who have been hurt.
visiting tourist want to pray for family and friends of the diseased? But what disease they have? I thought there were just injured? I suspect visiting tourist will crawl under a rock and never come out because there is crime everywhere.
Condolences to all those bereaved, we will work with the police diligently to ensure that justice is served.
I am a foreigner living in Dominica.
Your statement is ridiculous.
Dare to tell us where do you live, just to make us laugh about the crime rate in your area compared to what it is in Dominica.
I personally do not know any other place on earth where I feel so secure. What happened is a crime and will not be left . Be sure the perpetrators will shortly be caught and punished.
But your statement is ridiculous , mainly when you read so many nice and encouraging comments from Dominicans about it.
Shame on you.
A Warm and Friendly couple, I had the opportunity to interact with them at their restaurant earlier this year. I am deeply sadden by their tragedy and wish them speedy recovery and God’s richest Blessings.
Rick and Alicia our wishes for a complete and speedy recovery from this senseless act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Collin’s Mom and Dad
My prayers are with the victims! Vengence is mine says the Lord!He his not asleep!
The killers will be apprehended and dealt with the full extent of the law! This is unfortunate from all angles and tarnishes the tourism economy!
we need to unite and fight against Crime and claim back this once beautiful and peaceful country which we once boasted about!
come on people let us represent,i am bringing down some friends to marigot for one week next month and they can’t wait to come so please lets do better than that.
This is so disheartening. So innocent people does meet their death. Oh God Almighty may those murderers rot in hell. To Rick and his wife I wish you a speedy recovery. You guys are so sweet and don’t deserve this. To the family of Joe May God comfort you in yr time of sorrow Joe too did not deserve this To all those muderers and wanna be murderers God is in control yr punishment seems like nothing now but when the good Lord have his final judgement the unishment on you will be unbearable may you all criminals rot in HELL
This is awful, these people are the nicest people you will meet, i knew Alicia well, and her lovely hubbie, and i can not even imagine any one wanting to hurt them. they always made sure that they looked after all who worked for them and i never saw or herd them offend anyone. I did not know the poor man who was the victim of the murder, but all my prayers will be with his family and friends at this time, and i hope that the people resposible for this terrible act are caught ASAP. RIP JOE COSTELLO
Its sad to know that the persons involved came from my village….wesley tired go down on HEADLINE NEWS…i think they should increased more serious police men in the station in wesley and am sorry for u guys but justice must be served…to ric & alicia you guys are such humble people continue to be the best…condolences to the family of joe costello….the laws are there all they have to do is implement them and bring back mr behanzin…
Yes, we have no bananas today!
Dominica is a “gold fish bowl” it is so transparent.
Crack houses in very public places.
So many Santa Domingans & Haitians waiting for the gov boat to the French island there is Latin night 3 x a week.
A country that is starving can has how many new fancy cars paid for by ??????????????
What could be imported from Columbia through Venezuela to Dominica?
Get off the sun beds in Barbados boys of the DLP and get back here to your country and DO YOUR JOB OF PROTECTING DOMINICA!
Now in all honesty what does that have to to with this incident?
THIS is why the death penalty is necessary.
Not so much the actual practice, but the concept NEEDS to be adapted to keep a civilization civilized. And should worse come to worse, then crime doers asked for the consequences.
In the end, what’s necessary is necessary, enough about that crap with being “humane”. I’d like to see what the so called humanitarians say if this happens to their families.
A justice system should never favor criminals.
This is a dam shame! Rick and Alicia are two very nice people with a nice establishment. I pray that they get better soon and the perpertrators of this heinous crime are caught and brought to justice real soon. i extend my condolences to the family of Joe Costello. May he rest in perfect peace.
Proactive measures are required. Every person reserves the right to protect themselves from deviant thugs.
Get welll soon Rick and Alicia….these are indeed the friendliess white folks i’ve ever met. These people are doing so much for the communty of Marigot and environs…i dont y someone would want to hurt them…
That’s just evil and makes me sick to the stomach. This unacceptable violence should be crushed with rigid policing. It looks like property owners will need to take up arms.
Its funny how so many people will say how they ashmaed to Dominicans but they are the same ones that will take US citizenship even knowing the atrocities that nation has been in against other countries. This incident is very serious and the majority of Dominicans are wonderful, relaxed and open people. Those hooligans that did this crime aren’t representative of the population, just like those hooligans in Atlanta, chicago, north carolina, california etc etc aren’t reflective of the entire american population. So kindly stop the generalization.
well sadly this Crime wont be solved as the Local Police and law folks on island dont have any sort of guidance, understanding of crime to even catch crab on the roadside..
just look at the Emmanuel case..why shoudl folks think something will come out of this..take alot at the head of the force..
why do dominican endorse slackness in all areas and expect things to pop up good..heard a so call guy on crime on the am show saying about the force and do it..wow
that the issue i have with these so call brains..they are complete useless just go around with big talk high words..but haha nothing to show product wise at the end….
absoultley VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE POLICE IN DOMINICA, will spread that globally..
I really hope that you are not a Dominican citizen.
If you are I think you should be ashamed of this comment. I agree that everyone is entitled to their opinions but you shouldn’t go around speaking negatively about your country,especially on a public forum such as this. Showing your country in this negative light it doing nothing to alleviate the shadow that has been cast on it by this horrific incident.
If you are not a Dominican, then I wouldn’t like to know what you are saying about your own country.
It’s a patriotic duty to voice honest criticism of your government. I called the police recently to intervene in a domestic fight that had spilled out into the street–a man had a knife and his stepson had a cricket bat. Several minutes went by and no police arrived; I called back and they said they were waiting for someone to bring a car and pick them up. That’s not acceptable.
Why is the report saying beaten to death. I understand that a cutlass was used in the incident.
This is so sad. I hope justice is served because the law is an arse in DA. I have no confidence in the poelice.
Get well soon from all of us at Silks
wow,this is crazy father god help us
These people make me ashame to call myself a Dominica…. Hope they get caught and HANGED HANGED HANGED…
Well, since murders are committed everywhere you would be hardpressed to find a country to call yourself after. That said, however, MURDER is ALWAYS WRONG no matter in what country it is committed.
I ask God for the speedy and full recovery of the injured couple. May the soul of the deceased rest in peace.
To those responsible for this act of savagery: may justice be served to you.
To those lawyers who like to ‘play’ with the law: May the wrath of the Lord be upon you!! I hope that the Chief Magistrate is taking note – No BAIL FOR THEM OR THEY MAY COME AND ATTACK YOU OR THOSE CLOSE TO YOU!!
No statement yet from the Min of Tourism, etc.?
Two days later and NO word from the government…..
SHAME ON PM, MIN OF TOURISM, DHTA, PM,
Isn’t it a shame, no statement from our dear old government, seems like they don;t give a damn right? That’s what I would say. Two days later, in any other country they would have made some statement, I guess they need the speech writer to come up with a simple, “We offer our condolences to the families, our residents. We will not condone this type of violence against our residents, citizens, guests, blah blah blah; Harshest punishment sought, and measure being put in place, blah blah, police actively pursuing all leads to capture the persons responsible. COME ON MIN OF TOURISM, DHTA, PM, say something, stop BEING SO SILENT> ITS NOT LOOKING RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So true . Unacceptable.
Alicia and Rick have built the most beautiful restaurant and guest house. They have brought employment and tourist dollars to Dominica. News like this gets out fast to the rest of the world. Not only did these thugs harm two of the kindest people they have probably affected the island economy for years. You think people are going to want to come here when good folks who contribute so much to the community are so savagely treated? These men are animals. Civilized people don’t hack innocent people with machetes.
Rick and Alicia, please get all the help you need and recover soon.
I was a dinner guest of Rick and Alicia at their home a couple of years ago. Such positive and giving people. They treated all people with integrity and loved the people of Dominica. It’s a tragity with far reaching consequences for an island that is most peaceful. God Bless them.
Please hang those S.O.B’s who committed this crime.
I can only hope the police arrested the right people. Such persons cannot be allowed to run free and commit such horrific crimes. Robbery is one thing, but to murder and beat up the man and his wife–sick.
Rick, Alicia – I hope you both make a full recovery soon. You are both such lovely, hardworking, generous people, and do not deserve to be put through such an ordeal. I really do not know what to say – this is such a terrible time for you, and also for the whole of Dominica. Please don’t lose heart, take care and get well soon. xxx
Get well soon. Our thoughts are with you.
there no words to describe r i pjoe
Dear Rick and Alicia so sorry for the pain and anguish you are going through. I can’t even imagine. Hold strong. Lots of people love you and wish all the best for you.
This is such tragic terrible news ~ Alicia & Rick are such warm wonderful people ~ Wishing you both a speedy recovery.
So sad, so sad and devastating. My last trip to DA you guys had so much good to say about DA.
Wishing you both speedy recovery, may you heal and don’t lose hope. See you in a few days. Hold on.
Hope the people the police arrested get what they rightly deserve. Hope they don’t get bail, and get a looooooong jail time. Hope those lawyers doh come with some kind of so-called “defence” in their behalf. You do the crime, you should serve the time.
I hope the authorities do a thorough job and catch the right people too!
GET WELL RICK N ALISHA OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU
sometimes i wonder y people take time to badmind others, wen they shud use dat time and find a better plan
SMH!