Twelve to be arraigned over explosive material find
Twelve persons are to be arraigned in court this morning over Saturday's find of explosive material in Naxxar.
The discovery was made in the basement of the Peace Band Club in Naxxar, just streets away from the scene of the blast that killed two and robbed three families of their home barely two months ago.
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Franco Farrugia
May 5th 2008, 15:05
Roll on, EU! I look forward to the day when, with our own Parliament powerless to do anything which might hurt the Political parties with votes, we get orders from Brussels to curb the manufacture of fireworks. There is too much of this manufacture and it has to be controlled! And if the local authorities are spineless to do so, then, foreigners are welcome to come over and dictate to us what we must do - that is the answer if this country has to be pushed into the reality of the 21st century.
Sandro Pace
May 5th 2008, 12:15
Fines are not enough, for those who endanger the lives and property of others so blatantly. Not even a suspended sentence is as much a deterrent.
They have money, ironically probably collected door by door from those whose life they endangered.
From now on I will refrain from giving an euro cent for a feast, as I would encourage more production and hence more storage space, much more than where they are supposed to be legally stored can handle, hence clandestine storage or even manufacturing.
sorry. not out of my money.
Graham Crocker
May 5th 2008, 11:29
I bet you, the Peace club is affiliated with the guy who blew up a whole street and killed a woman.
Somebody has to pay for the physical and mental damage brought upon these families.
What amazes me is not only the irresponsibility of this case, but rather the sheer audacity they had to still store the fireworks in such a public area after a woman got killed and people left homeless. Apart from the fact, that opposite the band club there is a petrol station, where ironically enough they don't permit lighting up cigarettes as a precaution.
Lets fine them, after all they are not 15 year olds.
They send 15 year olds who rob to jail, yet adults who potentially threaten to rob at least a 100 people's lifes on a busy day, no no , They can pay a fine.
Btw. A big proset to the Police and AFM.
Anthony Briffa
May 5th 2008, 11:22
I hope that the case will not drag for years and they will end up getting a suspended sentence or a petty fine. The court needs to set an example. If the laws do not carry enough heavy penalties, they should be amended as soon as possible, and if need be made retroactive. Both government and oppostion should be unanimous on this point.
H. Farrugia
May 5th 2008, 11:07
First - Well done to all those who informed the Police about this criminal act. Yes it is a criminal act , since those involved did not give a hoot to the tragedy that occurred in the same village just a few weeks ago, leaving a family bereaved of their mother and wife, and leaving other families homeless. Shame on them.
Being a band club member in my village and loving the art of fireworks, makes me see red when I hear of such tragic and irresponsible goings on. Shame on the Committee Members of the Peace Band Club, IF THEY HAD A HINT of what was going on in THEIR own CLUB PREMISES. They deserve the condemnation of the Malta Band Clubs association and of all the people of Naxxar. And they even deserve to have their Band Club closed once and for all. No rethinking and no apologies!
Then according to the law, they should be among those arraigned in court and criminally charged according to law.
And Mr Tony Pace, authorities are you and me. We know what is going on in our country. We have to report such irregular activity be it on hunting, on fireworks, on prostitution or on illegal immigrants. The authorities cannot move unless the people collaborate with the authorities and then we throw the book at the Police for failing to move on such reports. The law will eventually hand down judgement, which will take into consideration all things brought before it.
And another thing, this case cannot be tried under the Torrorism Act as someone has stated. So please let's keep our feet firmly on the ground.
Carmel Garcia
May 5th 2008, 11:07
I agree with Mr A Sciberras. They should be charged under the Terrorism Act and sentenced to a maximum years in prison. Also If there are among them coommittee members, even the Band Club should be closed down. Irresponsible persons.
J Dimech
May 5th 2008, 11:01
One trusts that within legal parameters the Band Club's licence is revoked on the basis that the premises were used in an irresponsible and criminal manner, this condition should prevail until such time that a new committee, is set up.
Gretel Ohayon
May 5th 2008, 10:55
When storing the fireworks in the basement did anyone think about the children who frequently attend the club for band practice? Clearly not!! I find this so difficult to comprehend. What is the Archbishop's take on this? Maybe he should cancel the village festa this year, then maybe the fireworks diehards will think twice before storing fireworks illegally again!!
A SCIBERRAS
May 5th 2008, 10:38
I HOPE THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE CHARGED UNDER THE TERRORISM ACT.
Tony Pace
May 5th 2008, 10:32
and a petrol station opposite to boot.
Another bigger tragedy averted and which would have left hundreds of passers by maimed or dead.
Come on authorities, wake up.
J Farrugia
May 5th 2008, 10:19
They will only be fined the maximum amount allowed by law. Will it be 1 fine divided by 12 ?!!!
michael borg
May 5th 2008, 10:05
well done to police and armed forces for this search .....hope justice will act quickly & strongly.....no room for such disgraceful acts!
Maria Dolores Fenech
May 5th 2008, 10:04
In spite of what happened to those families, these persons still stored fireworks in the heart of the village, the premises, which is in the main square on Labour Avenue, was just metres away from a petrol station!
If these people are members of the club's commitee, then the club should be closed down to set an example to other similar clubs. We are dealing with grown ups who clearly do not care about other people's life! (and not children who may act on the spur of the moment without thinking of the consequences!). We have to take urgent and drastic actions to stop illegal fireworks now!
I. M. Dingli
May 5th 2008, 09:48
What an irony..... a band club baring the name of Peace Band Club being used as an illegal explosives storage space!! Well done to all those people involved in such an act, how considerate of yourself.