The Bali Nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran have been executed after ongoing pleas for clemency failed.

The men’s families say they are broken as they prepare to bring the bodies home.

The Australian lawyers involved in the ongoing legal battle apologised for failing to save the two men.

Tom Armstrong reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Chan, 31 and Sukumaran, 34 faced the firing squad just before 3.30 this morning, 10 years after they were arrested for drug trafficking.

The pair were allowed a last-minute consultation with their spiritual advisers, a courtesy initially denied.

There are reports the men refused blindfolds and sang right up until the shots were fired.

Ambulances ferried the Australians’ bodies and those of six other death-row inmates from the prison island to Cilacap.

A van carrying Australian consular staff followed behind.

The bodies of Chan and Sukumaran were then handed over to Australian authorities.

Family joined the convoy, for the 10-hour road trip to Jakarta, and their sons’ eventual return to Australia for burial.

Today the families released a statement saying the men had done all they could to make amends, but were shown no mercy.

They also thanked the public saying the men were immensely grateful for all the support they received.

This photo emerged today of a smiling Andrew Chan marrying his fiance in prison, one bright moment just two days before his death.

Lawyers for the pair have expressed their sorrow at the outcome, but said they ‘died well’.

Peter Morrissey, Lawyer: “We’re sad for the boys and we’re sad for the families, and we’re sad we weren’t able to pull it out of the fire ourselves.”

Filipino woman, Mary Jane Veloso was also due to be executed, but was granted a last-minute stay to testify in another trial.

Tom Armstrong, QUT News.