Update 2: Man shot dead in Qormi

Ing. Michael Attard

Sep 19th 2008, 00:29

Dear Martin ,
Last year this time , I suffered a setback and you were one of the first to give me support. Only last week I called you for help and in half an hour you turned up to give me your best advice. What a harsh way to leave. You did not deserve this. I can only pay you back through my prayers. Rest in Peace Martin. Condolences to your family.

There's no tragedy in life like the death of a child. Things never get back to the way they were.
Dwight D. Eisenhower

Michael Tabone

Sep 18th 2008, 19:36

@ Viola Gauci,
Yeah a mis-use of words on my part. I don't believe there can be any justification for a murder like that. I heard the whole story actually, from a friend of Martin Scicluna's. I had not placed the name right at that time. I can't believe anyone could lose control so easily like that. It just doesn't make sense how the will to kill could come so easily at times. I wrong about what I said, I just didn't feel the story mentioned enough, and thought I'd take a neutral approach. I know what it feels like to lose a close uncle of yours and I apologise.

It is a great injustice that took place there.

My condolences to his whole family, I am certain he will be missed greatly by many.

Sandro Musu

Sep 18th 2008, 12:10

Martin - fellow sailor and friend - May the Lord grant you eternal rest. You were a great sportsman ..... Jackie, Matthew, Roxanne and to all of Martin's family - condolences and keep on sailing.

monica cauchi

Sep 18th 2008, 11:47

martin was a great sportman, who had the young sailors at heart. he took the new and upgoing sailors and gave them an opportunity to experience the joy of racing on a big boat. he instilled in them a competitive spirit, and taught them to persevere in rough weather, a case in point was the Middle Sea Race 2007. these young sailors have lost a great friend. i am sure they will cherish the lessons Martin taught them and the memories of sailing races together. Sail on Martin.
to Jackie, Matthew and Roxanne our deepest sympathy.

David Mallia

Sep 18th 2008, 07:53

Martin, you are in our memories. I will always remember when we where in school together you were a rocker with Rainbow your favourite band. I did my best to understand this music.... Different times but good memories....

I'm sorry I couldn't make it to give you my final farewell.

Make sure you keep on sailing wherever you are today

Chris Grillo

Sep 17th 2008, 21:58

Martin, I still remember your happy face on the bus going to school, waving a newspaper with the story that our favourite band 'Rainbow' with their song 'I Surrender' had made it to the top of the charts. Every time I listened to that song thrugh the ears, I thought of you, and today I cannot believe this senseless parting. Even now I can still see your face as you sang with our old metal bands at Gzira, and struggling with our fledgling knowledge of electronics to repair our amps. Why did this have to happen? I am so shocked and sad. Goodbye dear friend. The world has lost another good man. Maybe you can now see 'Over the rainbow.' , as our friend Blackmore used to sing...il Grillo.

Steve Borg

Sep 17th 2008, 20:54

I have known Martin for over thirty two years since he grew up in Marsascala, where he was a very active in sports activities with the Marsascala waterpolo minors team and Marsascala football club. I fondly remember how strived in earnest for us to beat much more quoted teams. Martin had this drive and verve in him, that was an inspiration to us, when our morale was faltering. Well, that was him being himself.

He was a loving and caring friend who took genuine interest in one's well being, and a good listener. For those who knew him, Martin had a special aura, and the ability to attract people to his attention. His family and friends are grieving this tragic loss.

I think that it would be unfair for bloggers to write hypothetical comments about whatever happened yesterday and what should be done as regards gun control in Malta. Please contribute your comments to another thread, and respect the fact that this thread is a commuting space for those who knew him, who want to express their thoughts and feelings about our dear friend Martin. Thank you.

MARTIN, you shall always be in our prayers. God Bless You, dear friend.

Keith Vella

Sep 17th 2008, 18:11

Sincere condolences to Martin's family. I'll always remember Martin as a truly great man

Robert Sultana

Sep 17th 2008, 17:14

Franco Farrugia, looks like you'll be saying next that this tragedy happened cos the hunting season is open and not much "kacca" can be observed !

Viola Gauci

Sep 17th 2008, 15:11

@ M Tabone
I dont think there is any justification for my uncle's tragic death.
HIs nickname was Xikki and he is originally from Zabbar

francesca vincenti

Sep 17th 2008, 13:22

Rest in peace fellow sailor & friend of so many very good friends - what a shame and a waste of a life & good father. Condolences to the family.

@Ray Schembri: Martin's nickname was Ta'Xikki. (Pipes, correct me if I am wrong here?)

Ivan Mallia

Sep 17th 2008, 09:33

My sincere condolences to the Scicluna Family , always enjoyed Martins company especially after sailing , we started sailing unknowingly at same time and had maximum respect for each other , fantastic competitor and the nicest of friends ,always willing to help .WE will miss
you Martin
IVAN [ ir - roKKU]

Mark Vella

Sep 17th 2008, 08:54

I could believe my eyes when i saw what happened. I never imagined that such a business relation would end up in a tragedy.

I will remember Martin as an intelligent, helpful, & hard working ambitious man.

May God help both.

My condolences to Martin's family and may God have mercy on his soul

Mario Ellul

Sep 17th 2008, 07:16

Forget for a moment that Martin and I have been friends since childhood. How can a father do this to another father, knowing fully well what the others" children have to go through?
A premature farwell my old friend.
Pipes

Cedric Busuttil

Sep 17th 2008, 06:36

@ Franco Farrugia - you want to know one good reason why there should not be total destruction of fireaarems.!!!!
Are you serious when you ask such or you're kiddin' ?
lets go to the point - one good reason is clay pigeon shooting
is this enough or you want more?
TBYW - THINK BEFORE YOU WRITE

Martin Zammit

Sep 17th 2008, 02:40

To J.Brincat. Your comments are absurd to say the least. Shootings and murders happen all over the world and Malta is no exception. To somehow try to justify the Maltese peoples misdemeanors by blaming them on American and British influence is ridiculous, misguided, misinformed and prejudiced. One wonders what religion it is you believe in which teaches you such crap?

Jacqueline Higgans

Sep 17th 2008, 00:45

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Happy New Year (2008) I can remember Martin and Jackie clearly outside one of the bars on the way to lower barrakka in valletta shouting Happy New Year to us with a bottle of champagne in his hands. He was a real Family Man.
R.I.P. Martin, deepest condolonces to his wife and family.
Jacqueline and Arthur

N Camilleri

Sep 16th 2008, 23:27

My condolences to the family of the victim, and my prayers are also with the accused and his family.

Mr Brincat:
Teachers in the US are not permiited to bring guns to school. Unfortunately the practice is currently being considered in a couple of states, but as of yet only one school permits teachers to bring guns to work. The school of only 100 students is in a remote town in Texas and is 30 miles from the nearest police station. What would you recommend?

Michael Tabone

Sep 16th 2008, 23:20

Although many may tend to disagree with me, we honestly, don't know the true story about this whole unfortunate event.
Although I do not support his actions of killing, I will let this story develop further before I could make any personal judgement of his actions.

Ray Scicluna

Sep 16th 2008, 23:16

Sincere condolences to my Uncle and Aunty, parents of Martin Scicluna and my cousins for their loss of their son and brother. May God give you peace and comfort in your hearts. My family and I are thinking of you at this time of grief. God bless and take care.
Your Cousin
Ray and Maria

James De Giorgio

Sep 16th 2008, 22:01

My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. May those responsible be brought to justice.
A small side comment to J Brincat who accuses the church of behaving immaturely... sorry but what does that have to do with this news item?

apgrech

Sep 16th 2008, 21:51

In most cases, all it takes is a bit of maturity and discuss disagreements with other people and problems could be solved.

What a tragedy, what a waste of life.

My condolences to Martin's family and may God have mercy on his soul.

A Caruana

Sep 16th 2008, 21:35

a really sad story. may God help the relatives and even the shooter. I know for sure he will be really destroyed when he ll look back at this terrible act. No prison can be enough. The thoughts of killing another human are too much of a burden for any person to handle.

@J Brincat

US does not have anything to do with this messed up world. Every country is part of it. Its a country of 300,000,000+ people. I guess it is obvious that crime will be bigger there ratio wise. Everything that happens is blamed on the US by many. I dont understand why. Its a far cry from what Hollywood depicts it. There are nice people and terrible people as in every country.

Joseph Ellis

Sep 16th 2008, 21:35

I never imagined that I will see Martin being driven away in a Black Maria. What a great loss that an intelligent, hard-working and ambitious man would find such an end. In my dealings with him, I always found him absolutely correct. I am really moved and at a loss for words. My thoughts go to his family and loved ones.

Schembri Ray

Sep 16th 2008, 21:23

Can anyone out there mention the nickname of Martin Scicluna? We easily recognise him by his nickname if he was from Siggiewi.

E. Camilleri

Sep 16th 2008, 21:18

R.I.P. Mr Scicluna. Sincere condolences to your family and friends.

Please show some respect for the victim and the families involved. Do not be judge and jury before learning the facts. Some of you "regulars" playing the godly "know it all" are nothing more than vultures hot on your keyboards drooling over the next sensational piece to tell us what you think is best for everyone else. As for firearms get your facts right before writing the stupidities read here. Purchasing a firearm is prohibited for under 18 year olds, and this counts even for an airgun or an airsoft. Since the Arms Act was enacted in 2006, it takes you around 3 months (if you manage afterall) to get a licence, and yes this counts even for airguns and airsoft, let alone firearms. So stop your anti gun drivel which solves nothing.

Franco Farrugia

Sep 16th 2008, 21:17

@ A Brincat: Oh really? And why not? Give me one single good reason why there should not be legislation against THE TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF FIREARMS!

robert w. ciantar

Sep 16th 2008, 20:45

I beleive that Teddie Borg said it all and fully agree with him. Martin was a good friend and sailing buddy. God Bless and rest his soul.

Peter Grech

Sep 16th 2008, 20:25

Oh my god. I know martin he is a great man. WHY!!! RIP dear friend.

J Brincat

Sep 16th 2008, 20:16

This is..............can't say the words!!!!!!!!!! I know the parents of this guy. They helped me when I was in need. Good people. I can't even imagine their pain. This is what we watch all the time. Films,games.music..........violence, and just get rid of what u don't want!!!!!!!!! Life is just a game. We are brainwashed!!!!!!
Watch UK news........killings every week. U.S.A............teachers can now take guns to school. GUNS!!! TEACHERS!!!!!!!
It all starts in U.S.A......moves to england...............and before we know it..............it will be our problem too!!
And the gov. doesn't care..(they are soooo absorbed in finances that they don't care about your kids! It's yours after all!)
The church is behaving so 'immature' in my opinion.It's not that the church likes to put the collar with bells on the cat!! When we got the new archbishop, i had hopes. Thank got my religion isn't part of this 'institution'. They all talk........but it's all bla bla!
Take care of your child. YOU are the only one who MIGHT care. Unless you are too busy too. JUST LIKE THE REST!! And don't complain............if you have forgotten GOD. All countries who have, are reaping what they sow.

victor vella

Sep 16th 2008, 19:31

Please do not be judge and jury. wait and see what happened before we pass judgement.Both the dead man and his murderer have families.

A. Brincat

Sep 16th 2008, 19:16

@Franco

Firearms are legal and can be bought from local shops. Loading a gun depends on the type of weapon. A shotgun, pistol, revolver, rifles and machine guns all load differently.

If u don't want the gun to shot you instead, when u are fireing the gun, make sure the barrel is not blocked (not to back fire) and point the barrel at another direction ;)

Making firearms illlegal won't solve anything and doesn't make sense.

wally vella-zarb

Sep 16th 2008, 19:04

@ Franco Farrugia

"But ..... where do these people get the firearms from? Where?"

I believe that the firearm in question was a shotgun. There are at least 20,000 registered hunters, each of whom has at least one. I am also under the impression that the legal age for a shotgun is only sixteen ...

So, to answer your question, it appears to be quite easy to procure one.

Teddie Borg

Sep 16th 2008, 18:56

Losing a friend of mine like Martin Scicluna is one of the worst moments of my life..... I just cannot imagine that I will not be able enjoy his company anymore...so early in his life, ..... he was one of those guys who you could trust, one of those who always tried to solve any problem for you, he was above all a caring father who loved his family dearly, he WAS my buddy and I will miss him all my life.... Guys like him are rare and now after this tragedy, it is OUR loss for ever....he was above all a great skipper and the local sailing fraternity has lost one of the best skippers in Malta.........I am sure that God will reserve a special place for him..... we love you all......................Teddie Borg

Kevin Farrugia

Sep 16th 2008, 18:15

COndolences to Mr Scicluna's family.

Is this Martin Scicluna, the ex football player with Malta?

V Farrugia

Sep 16th 2008, 18:10

Is this the Wild West or Malta?!

Charles Sammut

Sep 16th 2008, 18:07

@ Franco Farrugia
Are you being sarcastic or unbelievably naive?

I fear the latter!

Franco Farrugia

Sep 16th 2008, 16:14

But ..... where do these people get the firearms from? Where?

Just for the sake of argument, let's say I want to shoot someone ..... what do I do? where do I get the gun from? how do I load it? I would be terrified it shoots ME insteadn!!!!!!!!!!

J Oatmon

Sep 16th 2008, 15:48

From what I read, this appears to be a 'cold blooded murder' by shotgun, of one Maltese person by another Maltese person.
I say 'cold blooded murder' because I assume the killer does not keep a loaded shotgun at his place of work, and so must have gone to fetch it to commit this violent appalling crime.
There can never be an excuse for cold blooded murder - the only mitigating circumstance is self defense which seemingly does no apply here.
One of the problems with firearms, is hot headed people use them sometimes to win an argument.