Two cars, house damaged in arson attack on Lija Mayor

R Muscat

Apr 19th 2009, 09:39

It should not be difficult for the police to catch the perpetrator of this cowardly act, let us hope that he is caught and spends a long stint in Corradino prison.
It should be the duty of any Doctor to report any suspicions to the police.
There have been too many arson attacks that have not been solved, it is time for the police to act and make an example of this of this coward. The police should contact all pharmacies and GPs to see if bandages and burns cream have been dispensed, since it appears that the perpetrator has not turned up in hospital.
Law abiding citizens should not be intimidated by these criminals. It appears that the Mayor contested certain developments in Lija!!!!

A Bezzina

Apr 18th 2009, 15:02

The arsonist was on fire. The report states that he ran away still aflame. He did the very thing he should have avoided - stay upright. He would by now be in some pain and if extensive burns are present even to 5% of his body, unless he gives himself up for professional care in the appropriate hospital unit he is likely to suffer circulatory shock and blood infection (septicaemia). Unless he gives himself up he may have less than 7 days to live taking with him the name of the 'mandante'. If justice has to be that harsh as to take the life of the perpetrator, so be it. His life is in his and his family's hands.

oliver mallia

Apr 18th 2009, 11:54

Solidarity with Dr Castaldi Paris,
please publish cctv video on www.you-tube.com

Joseph Schembri

Apr 18th 2009, 11:46

We need more mayors like the Lija mayor who is really there for the people of his lovely village. He is the only man in Malta with enough guts to have taken on mobile phone companies for putting up base stations metres away from people's bedrooms. There is ample evidence that these base stations which are sprouting up in every locality in Malta cause a whole lot of repercussions to people living near them.

Ian Castaldi Paris was man enough to challenge, in the name of his fellow villagers, the spineless MEPA and arrogant mobile phone companies in court. Other mayors are more intent on collecting fines for a little dog poo or for parking in a 'residents' parking slot. Let me not go on about the other questionable activities that some mayors engage in. There will be time and space for this some other time.

In this country when one acts like a man one gets attacked by gutless cowards. - so Ian take this despicable attack as another feather in your cap.

C.Farrugia

Apr 18th 2009, 08:31

While expressing solidarity to the Lija Mayor, I think most of us should also be thinking of his next door neighbours, as it seems that they were the one who suffered most damage to their property and especially their cars.

David & Johanna DeBono

Apr 17th 2009, 23:41

Shame on the person who put so many innocent lives at risk. Thank God, no harm came to the Mayor and his family even though it was a close call.
My wife and I would like to take the opportunity to thank the police and Fire Brigade, who arrived on the scene within minutes to try and minimize the damage caused by the fire to our residence. Sincere thanks to the Lija community for their support during this difficult time. We also would like to show solidarity with our next-door neighbour whose cars were destroyed.

clifford john williams

Apr 17th 2009, 20:48

If a person deliberately fires a gun at another person and only injures or misses [ as in the recent incident with the parks warden] this is attempted murder. If a person deliberately sets fire to a house knowing there are people inside, even if they escape unharmed or only injured, this is attempted murder. Unchecked, sooner or later it will be murder.

Anthony Roberts

Apr 17th 2009, 20:04

Full solidarity with Dr Castaldi Paris. I know what it is like to be physically attacked as a councillor in Birzebbugia and you have my sincere sympathy. Keep up the good work, we musn't let people stop us from carrying on.

Kevin Zammit

Apr 17th 2009, 19:27

Full solidarity with Dr Castaldi Paris ... but the neighbours, I really feel bad them as well ...

Luke Mizzi

Apr 17th 2009, 18:45

Full Solidarity with Ian Castaldi Paris and his family.

O. Sant' Angelo

Apr 17th 2009, 17:04

Full Solidarity with Dr Ian Castaldi Paris and of course with his neighours who suffered collateral damage. An arsonist who sets fire to himself can't be too difficult to catch - one hopes his sentence won't somehow be commuted because of his burns.

Oscar Cassar

Apr 17th 2009, 15:11

In solidarity with Dr Castaldi Paris and family.

Evelyn Vella Brincat

Apr 17th 2009, 14:40

Thank God no one was injured in this last spat of vandal attacks on Mayors and Councillors alike. Ian do not let these vandal attacks deter you from your good work towards your community. I too have suffered a few vandal attacks on my property including slashed tyres and other damage to my car but it won't stop me working for the good of my community. Unfortunately I have always had to suffer the expense to fix whatever was damaged and no one was ever caught.

pierre borg

Apr 17th 2009, 13:30

Dear Mayor, do not leave acts like these hinder you to continue working and striving that what is wrong whould be put right. situations like these must strenghten you. i know it is difficult as you also might have a family but alot of people in malta believe that we need people with a good fiber to fight irregularities. we are sorry for what happened and our sympathy is with you and your family.

George J. Cutajar

Apr 17th 2009, 13:12

To a personal friend - Ian sorry to see and read but I am sure that this cowardly act will not deter in your work both on a professional level as well as on the political one. You have what it takes to get over this. Take it from somebody who has been there and back on at least two similar occassions.

C. Micallef Pule`

Apr 17th 2009, 13:06

Deplorable behaviour may the person/s behind this terrible attack be severely punished. Are we not even safe in our homes? Solidarity with Dr Castaldi Paris and his family, keep up the good work and don't let these cowardly attempts intimidate your work and beliefs.

F.Williams

Apr 17th 2009, 12:55

Solidarity with Ian Castaldi Paris and the owners of the two cars!

Luciano Busuttil

Apr 17th 2009, 12:49

To understand fully what Ian and his family are feeling right now, you have to have passed through that ordeal. The perpetrators of this criminal and coward act intend to demoralise the victim. On the contrary, something like this makes you stronger. Ian, may God give you strength to overcome this moment of shock and terror. I hope that you will have better luck in finding the guilty person/s of this vile attack. Do not let them win. Just keep on fighting for what you believe in. In moments like this you will realise how much people respect you and the work you do for the service of your locality and the country.

R.Zammit

Apr 17th 2009, 12:44

Solidarity with the Dr Castaldi Paris and his neighbours. What cowardice. It only proves that he must be doing something right!

Matthew J Galea

Apr 17th 2009, 12:41

Whilst expressing solidarity with Dr Castaldi Paris, his wife and family and the other victims living in their street, I must also take this opportunity to thank our Lija mayor in recognition of his untiring efforts towards the conservation of our beautiful Maltese village. The preservation of our heritage and the enhancement of our unique environment is very much appreciated and I hope that many more people may be encouraged to express their support in writing, rather than just nodding agreement in silence..

Franco Farrugia

Apr 17th 2009, 12:25

How pathetic we all are. We are always full of 'solidarity' and offer it easily because it is free of charge. But when it comes to the nitty-gritty, it's something else.

D. Seracino

Apr 17th 2009, 12:20

Seems that the arsonist will be caught soon as he will be needing medical care for those burns!! Am sorry for the damage caused to the Mayor and his neighbors.

J. Borg

Apr 17th 2009, 12:19

Medical practitioners / nurses should be alerted on anyone seeking treatment for burns. Ian has taken some brave decisions about the Majjistral Park - and following arson attacks at the locality I would not be surprised that such vile attacks are now degenerating into personal ones - similarly to what was suffered by Foresta 2000 ranger Ray Vella.

claude portelli

Apr 17th 2009, 11:51

My deepest solidarity goes to Ian and his family. It is outrageous that individuals still resort to such ways to show disapproval or to even worse try and intimidate someone who is doing his duty.

Trevor De Giorgio

Apr 17th 2009, 11:50

In the name of PN Committee Balzan, I convey solidarity to Dr Castaldi Paris, his family and neighbours for the cowardly act which took place last night.

N.Sciberras

Apr 17th 2009, 11:24

Complete solidarity with Dr Ian Castaldi Paris, his family and his neighbours.......Keep up your excellent work Ian.....Your attitude and your integrity are to be admired....God Bless You !!!

Charles Micallef

Apr 17th 2009, 11:22

Dear Mr Mayor, This cowardly act of vandalism will in future become concrete testimony to your contribution to your beloved LIJA. This is Malta and one looks at the people in your position who have not been attacked as the ones who please a lot of voters for personal gain or popularity. It is refreshing to find someone who stand up to those who try to exploit your village for the sake of personal gain or greed.

Aaron Farrugia Education Secretary PL

Apr 17th 2009, 11:22

I thoroughly condemn this arson attack Solidarity with Ian, his family and also with those whose property was damaged.

Stefan Aquilina

Apr 17th 2009, 11:16

Full solidarity with Dr Castaldi Paris. Keep doing the good work you are doing and don't let them stop you...

Edward Demicoli

Apr 17th 2009, 11:05

There are people in this country that are doing these acts of terrorism thinking that they will stop honest, decent, hard working individuals like Dr Castaldi Paris. There have been attacks on local politicians, on NGO activists and journalists in the past years. Full solidarity with all of them.

Joseph Buttigieg Attard

Apr 17th 2009, 10:58

The act of this 'criminal' is most shameful and most deplorable and the sooner he/she is comprehended the better. My sympathy and solidarity with Dr Castaldi Paris, his family and his neighbours.

Benjamin Pule`

Apr 17th 2009, 10:58

What shameful people these are - thank God CCTV cameras caught the entire act!! Don't let these cowards hinder your work Dr. Castaldi Paris - good luck!

r ferriggi

Apr 17th 2009, 10:50

hemm bzonn li il pulizija f Malta tohloq fergha ( forsi tezisti??) SPECIFIKAMENT ghal dawn l'atti vandali li issa qeghdin nisimghu bihom KULJUM. hemm bzonn li din ir rotta hazina tigi imqaqqfa ISSA jekk irridu nibqghew nghidu li malta ''SAFE COUNTRY'' u mhux wild west. forsi tard wisq. Awtoritajiet u pulizija ,,,,,, azzjoni!!

Manuel Mifsud

Apr 17th 2009, 10:32

I'm sure Dr Castaldi Paris will not be discouraged to continue his excellent work as Mayor of Lija even though the terrible incident is enough to scare anyone who might have been thinking of offering his services to the community. We should give our full support to the victims and earnestly hope that the culprit will be caught and brought to justice. He should get nothing short of the maximum penalty. This should serve as an example to those who are contemplating such horrible crimes against the community.

Clayton Luke Mula

Apr 17th 2009, 10:31

As a PL Candidate for the Local Council Elections on Ghaxaq ticket I show my full solidarity to Dr. Ian Castaldi Paris as the Mayor of Lija. Hope those who did this arson attack will take a lesson from the Justice.

A. Tabone

Apr 17th 2009, 10:28

@ Albert Leone Ganado When caught, scum and vermin of society usually get suspended sentences. Or probably a much less harsher punishment than that of less serious crimes.

Gianni Xuereb

Apr 17th 2009, 10:27

I hope this coward is brought to justice. Keep up the good work Ian. Lija can't afford to become a concrete jungle.

Stefan Fenech

Apr 17th 2009, 10:26

It seems that we're going back in the 80s with these arson attacks. Shame on the arsonist. Full solidarity to the Mayor and to his neighbours.

Pierre Sciberras

Apr 17th 2009, 10:12

Complete solidarity with Ian Castaldi Paris

Mario P Ellul

Apr 17th 2009, 10:02

In the name of the PN Zurrieq Local Council, and the the PN Local Committee, I wish to convey full solidarity to Dr Castaldi Paris, and also to his neighbors that suffered damage to their property with such act of cowardliness.

Cyrus Engerer

Apr 17th 2009, 10:01

Full solidarity with Dr. Castaldi Paris. Definately an exemplary hard-working Mayor, full of determination.

Manuel Tabone

Apr 17th 2009, 09:54

Full Solidarity with Dr Ian Castaldi Paris and his family. This is shameful and deplorable. Ian don't let anyone stop your good work.

Kevin Borg

Apr 17th 2009, 09:50

Full solidarity with Dr Castaldi Paris. This act shows that his work is effective against those who think that they own this island and think they can take justice in their own hands. Solidarity also with third parties whose property was damaged

J Farrugia

Apr 17th 2009, 09:48

The police should issue instructions to all clinics and hospitals that whoever presents himself for burns treatments today and for the next seven days, is to be immediately reported to the police, so that he can be screened with CCTV footage available. This criminal must be identified as soon as possible. It should be easy for the police to track him down.

marthese mussett

Apr 17th 2009, 09:46

shame the arsonist did nt catch fire himself.I used to go to the same duttrna class as Ian and when I read that he s a mayor I was nt surprised,he was such a nice boy and comes from a very good family.It scares me to know that the culprit did nt at least think of Ian s wife and little daughter.And about the neighbours.When hopefully he gets caught we expect him to be put behind bars.He will have plenty of time to think about this evil act,which could have led to a tragedy.,

mario camilleri

Apr 17th 2009, 09:45

Mayor Ian Castaldi Paris is a hard working person in his locality and shame on whoever carried out this vandalism act. I wish to express my solidarity with all the residents in Triq is-Salvatur

albert leone ganado

Apr 17th 2009, 09:45

What a despicable and heinous act of utter cowardice. Persons who use arson or explosive tactics are nothing more than the scum and vermin of civilised society and when caught should be treated as such.
All our solidarity with the victims.

Anthony Farrugia

Apr 17th 2009, 09:41

If the arsonist's clothes caught fire during his cowardly attack, he might go to a hospital or GP for treatment plus available footage from CCTV cameras.
So it should not be all that difficult for the police investigators to trace him.
Solidarity with Mayor Ian Castaldi Paris and all those who suffered any damages in this attack

Joe Cassar

Apr 17th 2009, 09:33

It is very important to catch the arsonist.

It is even more important to find out why he did what he did and on who's behalf.

If anybody wants to know why, he/she has only to go on the internet anf google "The Rape of Palermo".

Matthew Borg

Apr 17th 2009, 09:32

316. Whosoever shall wilfully set fire to any house, warehouse, shop, dwelling-house, vessel, dock or any building, shed or other place whatsoever, any person being therein at the time of the setting on fire, shall, on conviction, be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for life:
Provided that if no person shall perish, the offender shall be liable -
(a) if he could have foreseen that any person was actually in the place, to imprisonment for a term from nine to twelve years;
(b) otherwise, to imprisonment for a term from five to nine years.

Seeing that no one was killed, 316(a) will apply if the perpetrator is caught.

Pathetic, if you had to ask me.

Matthew Borg

Apr 17th 2009, 09:27

Shame on the person who committed this heinous act. The arsonist deserved his clothes to catch on fire.

May he now be brought to justice in the Courts - as CCTV will help reveal who the perpetrator is - and that he won't be given a petty suspended sentence for his troubles, but a fully fledged jail term. Such people are criminals, they have the will and understanding to commit the crime at that moment in time and therefore must be rightly punished for it. If no one has been caught before, then this person should be made an example of.

Also the owners of the other houses affected - I personally know the owners of one of the houses - should also ensure that the arsonist is caught, given the maximum sentence possible and also sued for damages to the facades of the houses.

It's the only way they might learn.

john micallef

Apr 17th 2009, 09:13

lets hope that these cowards are caught and that not the usual 'suspended sentence' is given to them

John Spiteri, Information Secretary AN

Apr 17th 2009, 09:09

Pity the arsonist did not suffer extensive injury in the attempt. it would have thought him a lesson that he would remember for the rest of his life that what goes round will eventually come round. let's hope he gets caught, charged and sentenced and i mean i a real sentence not some petty fine with a suspended sentence.

victor vella

Apr 17th 2009, 09:06

Shame and shame on the perpetrator and I sincerelt hope that the investigators consider that whoever did this had the intention of serious harm as the fire was started under the rear of the cars where the fuel tank is . Dr Castaldi, whoever did this , did it to scare you, keep doing the good work you are doing and don't let them stop you , Good luck sir.

Carmel Cacopardo

Apr 17th 2009, 09:02

Full solidarity with Dr Castaldi Paris.

A.Sciberras

Apr 17th 2009, 09:00

keep up the good work and dont be discouraged Mayor.

A.Saliba

Apr 17th 2009, 08:39

2 attacks in the weeks?

One in Marsa and now in Lija. What is happening in this country? My sypmathy with the Lija mayor.

J Oatmon

Apr 17th 2009, 08:28

Violent crime and arson are now a serious problem in Malta, and it seems that no one is ever caught by the police.
CCTV does help catch these dangerous criminals, and it should immediately be made legal for any private person to install CCTV cameras wherever he wishes on his property, without the need for the daft warning notice.
Arson can, and does kill, I wonder what the maximum sentence is in Malta - my guess is if/when this guy is caught and after being found guilty, it will be the usual suspended sentence for admitting the crime and as a first time offender.

What is the maximum sentence for arson in Malta - there are several cases every year.

richard stagno navarra

Apr 17th 2009, 08:26

Ian Castaldi Paris does not deserve this cowardly act. He has fought hard to preserve Lija's heritage and to keep the village as clean as possible. He, as are his Council , against uncontrolled deevelopment. I wish the police well in bringing this person to justice. Don't give up Ian.

V Mercieca

Apr 17th 2009, 08:24

Ah! When is this nation going to mature and people do not take the law in their own hands?

My sympathies with those people whose property was damaged or destroyed.

simon micallef stafrace

Apr 17th 2009, 08:22

there is never any excuse for violence. Complete solidarity with Ian Castaldi Paris.

Mario Sant

Apr 17th 2009, 08:11

Shame on whoever is behind this heinous act. I wish to express my solidarity with Mr. Castaldi Paris, his family and with those affected by this arson attack.

duncan Tanti

Apr 17th 2009, 08:02

What a cowardly act.lets hope the culprit will be caught and sentenced accordingly that is the same as if he killed someone.

M Borg

Apr 17th 2009, 07:57

My sympathy with Dr Castaldi Paris.

Should this 'arsonist' be caught and found guilty, the Courts shall impose the maximum of the sentence allowed by our laws.

Not only that, but Malta MUST urgently have a NAME AND SHAME directory for some special cases.