Sparks fly over fireworks display re-location

A Qrendi band club yesterday filed a judicial protest complaining about a decision taken by the Explosives Committee in connection with another band club in the same locality.

The protest was filed by the Santa Marija Musical Society against the Explosives Committee, the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General.

Mario Zerafa, on behalf of the society, said that the club had, over the last 11 years, built new premises in Rokku Buhagiar Square near the Qrendi parish church.

Another Qrendi club, the Lourdes Musical Society, had, in 1995, stopped land-based fireworks displays opposite its club premises in Santa Marija Square and instead transferred the displays to Rokku Buhagiar Square.

This was done so that the Lourdes Society premises, in Santa Marija Square, would not be damaged.

However, Santa Marija Society claimed that if the fireworks displays were to be held at Rokku Buhagiar Square, its own new premises would suffer damage. The society complained about this to the Explosives Committee but its claim was not upheld.

Mr Zerafa told the court the Explosives Committee's decision was abusive and illegal.

Lawyer Michael Tanti Dougall acted for Santa Marija Musical Society.