For Whom The Bell Tolls

The official word has just been handed down from the Singapore Government that Van Tuong Nguyen was executed this morning.

Prior to the execution, which is thought to have been carried out at 9am this morning, 2UE's Mike Carlton read part of John Donne's famous meditation, as an eloquent tribute to Nguyen, for whom many churches rang their bells 25 times, once for each year of the young man's life.

Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls;
It tolls for thee."

Van Tuong Nguyen was 25 years old and leaves behind a twin brother and a mother who moved to Australia after seeking refuge from Vietnam.

I hope he found some peace.