Cyclist's death: Accused driver placed under house arrest

Dr Savior Tortell Pisani

Aug 14th 2009, 14:57

Moreover.... I believe that prevention is MUCH better than cure!!!!!!

Dr Savior Tortell Pisani

Aug 14th 2009, 14:52

Unfortunately Miguel, reality being what it is, it doesn’t quite work out that way!

....A drunk is in NO position to make ANY guarantees that s/he will ONLY damage herself/himself!... The damage usually spills over to other people because a drunk is incapable of controlling himself anyway! So you must ban substance abuse outright, anywhere!

but I agree that you should never ban the stuff... You should ban it's use and abuse!

Miguel Micallef

Aug 14th 2009, 14:25

I meant, 'as long as they are damaging ONLY themselves'

Miguel Micallef

Aug 14th 2009, 14:15

Alcohol is one of the heaviest, mind altering substances. Other 'heavier' drugs, like marijuana and xtc, come nowhere close to alcohol as regarding messing up with your mind.

Lots of people literally end up semi-conscious, not knowing what is going on around them or what they themselves are doing on alcohol. This simply does not happen on other drugs.

Reason enough to ban alcohol and legalize the others. But then again, I don't agree with prohibiting stuff, so I'd just legalize the others and make super harsh fines for driving and/or affecting other ppl while under the unfluence.

I have no problem with people getting drunk at home as long as they are damaging themsevles. If their partner gets beaten up, it's their choice. They can always report to the police and/or walk away.

Dr Savior Tortell Pisani

Aug 14th 2009, 12:42

@ P Agius

Simple answer to your question = NO!

***YOU MAY NOT GET DRUNK AT HOME!***

Getting drunk at home IMPLIES a variety of awfully unsociable behaviour:
1) Beating your wife black and blue
2) Being a nuisance to your neighbours
3) Giving a bad example to your children
4) Causing untold damage to your health
5) Fuelling further your *evil* addiction
6) Wasting family resources on unless booze
.... and the list goes on and on!

We can't risk any of this happening can we, now? SO PLEASE!... Kindly REFRAIN from getting drunk at home or anywhere else!! This is the ONLY way to make sure that you will realistically remain responsible for your actions. THANK YOU!

How about growing up and starting to behave like human beings??

edward bartolo

Aug 13th 2009, 21:52

@ Dr Savior Tortell Pisani

I have been savagely bitten by a drunk relative. I had to undergo surgery to remove the hatred-souvenir from my body. Getting assaulted by a drunk person is more than enough, I didn't need to have a life-long souvernir to remember the heinous act for the rest of my life!

I totally agree with you, getting drunk is a sheer act of irresponsibility and, as you said, many do it because drinking permits them to act in ways they don't when they are not drunk.

P Agius

Aug 13th 2009, 21:05

@ Dr Savior Tortell Pisani

Quoting your statement below reminds me of my days when i worked in Libya.........
"
If it were up to me, getting drunk ANYWHERE for WHATEVER reason would be ILLEGAL!!
AND I will serve you JAIL time for drinking that extra glass of vodka!"....

Dr Tortell Pisani, would you allow me to get drunk at home?.... Please

Dr Savior Tortell Pisani

Aug 13th 2009, 20:43

@J.GENOVESE

With all due respect, your argument does not hold water.

If people are so drunk, they cannot keep their car on the road, and behave like decent human beings... then how can you EXPECT them to take the right decision to hire a taxi after those half a dozen extra drinks??

A DRUNK is a DRUNK...

ie: INCAPABLE of passing judgement and INCAPABLE of acting responsibly... PERIOD!!

Moira Mizzi

Aug 13th 2009, 19:30

@Ms.Grech...correct me if I'm wrong but this happens to be a place where freedom of speech is the order of the day not a classroom in the post-Victorian era so while you are free to disagree with some of the comments shutting people up because you don't like what they're saying is a bit patronizing don't you think? And do give the caps lock a breather pray!

@Mr.Anastasi I agree with you that judging Mr.Taliana will not getting us anywhere especially since I believe none of us is exactly hanging around in the queue for sanctity. However just because some of us might have driven around under the influence of alcohol in our hey day it doesn't make it excusable. This is not a question of blame in my opinion but of responsibility and accountability starting at an individual level and extending to all levels of society....and no one is exempt. Wouldn't it be more fruitful if we, and by we I mean individuals and legislators, could learn from this instead of trying to burn each other at the stake?

Dr Savior Tortell Pisani

Aug 13th 2009, 17:20

@A. Anastasi

Irrespective of whether Taliana is still a kid or not... Such people, *if found guilty*, should be swept off our roads PERMANENTLY...

And quite frankly I don't care ONE BIT if it was your Family Wedding, New Year's Eve, Christmas Eve, the boy's or girl’s night out or the Prime Ministers' Reception!!! The FULL responsibility always rests on the individual!!

If you drive, after drinking more than you can handle, YOU ARE A CRIMINAL... AND YOU SHOULD BE JAILED!! FOR A VERY LONG TIME!

If it were up to me, getting drunk ANYWHERE for WHATEVER reason would be ILLEGAL!!
AND I will serve you JAIL time for drinking that extra glass of vodka!

Then *perhaps* you will grow up and start acting responsibly - the way an adult should!

A. Anastasi

Aug 13th 2009, 12:42

I love the way we maltese sit back and judge everybody else for their wrong doings... A bunch of armchair critics we are!
I cannot remotely conceive the suffering Mr. micalleff's family will have to endure after this terrible tragedy but everybody else needs to egt off their high horse. I can assure you that every single one of us at some point or another has driven home tipsy or even drunk.. think of your last family wedding or reunion. Taliana is still a kid.. an irresponsible one, but a kid! Whoever here thinks they can point a finger should remember what it was like to be that age and how many times they drove home and possibly gave a lift to various other people under the influence.
What is to blame here is the laws of this country. Anywhere else in Europe drink driving is a major offense, smoking a joint is dealt with a fine of as little as £50.
In malta, people are let off for drink driving on a daily basis but yet smoking marijuana is still more of an offense and is taken more seriously than drink driving or even rape!

J.GENOVESE

Aug 13th 2009, 12:40

95% of the drivers coming out of Paceville are drunk, so the police if they want to stop this they can make road blocks at the outgoing roads and stop all drinking and driving. A taxi stand can be there present and people under the effect of alcohol are driven home under a normal payment.
Secondly this road is one of the most dangerous on the island so I would close it to bicycles cause it's not safe and the lane is along with a concrete strip or down into a valley so this goes closed.
The last thing is I'm sure you all can do something better by trying to be constructive, I'm sorry for Cliff and his family but if nothing will be done we will hear of more fatal accidents. If you look in to Italy's news these things happen everyday cause the goverment is not serious like teh MIKI MAWS we have here, blue or red the result will always be a MIKI MAWS

Marie Claire Aquilina

Aug 13th 2009, 12:29

@ marianna grech. I think everyone feels threatened by the imminent danger of our roads, and rightly so. When 's the last time you were on the bicycle on the coast road?

I pray that we all pick up the pieces from this sad event and gather more respect and compassion towards each other, and pay special attention on the road, in loving memory of Cliff Micallef.

Charmaine Marmara'

Aug 13th 2009, 12:26

@ marianna grech. What would you do or say if it was your father ,son or brother that has been killed?? would you still tell us to shut up !!!! And look what happens when the court decides...A man is dead and all you have to say is let the court decide . Let everyone have their say. This is the COMMENTS area . And if everyone tries ,well yes the world could be a better place. Condolences to all cliff's family and friends.

Ray Gatt

Aug 13th 2009, 12:18

I'll comment after the court case is over and suggest the rest of you do the same. Give justice a chance.

marianna grech

Aug 13th 2009, 11:57

CAN EVERYONE JUST SHUT UP AND LEAVE THE COURT DECIDE WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN?? WHATS DONE IS DONE AND THATS IT. YOU THINK UR MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE BY SAYING ALL THESE THINGS ABOUT ANTHONY?? WELL GUESS WHAT?? YOU'RE NOT SO JUST STOP IT PLEASE.
MY CONDOLONCES TO CLIFF'S FAMILY

Colin Camilleri

Aug 13th 2009, 09:19

People lets not deviate from the facts!

First, this guy is a relapser. He was found to be under the influence of alcohol! Therefore he knew BEFORE he put the jack-coke (or whatever) to his mouth, what he was risking!
Second, he allegedly killed a person! A human being!
Third, he allegely FLED! He did not stop to give first aid! Why?
Fourth, he was allegedly driving with no insurance policy. You do not need to be arraigned into court here to be fined for such an action!
No, this guy does not deserve house arrest. For a lot less people end up in jail!

d.attard

Aug 13th 2009, 09:05

A(n) employee stands charged with defrauding almost €200,000 ... He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.

Does this reflect anything on values we attach to life and money? Grapevine and useless chatter can best be diluted by information and communication.

victor vella

Aug 13th 2009, 02:27

Let us not be judge and jury. The man allegedly had alcohol in his blood, that is one offence, he failed to stop to report an accident, I don't now and have no proof that he was overspeeding but losing a bumber on impact is no mean feat.But tell me? he was allready accused of drink driving am I right? why did his father allow him to use a car when he is irresponsable? Why did his father allow him to drive when he knows that his son does not abide by the law. was the car insured to be driven by the young man. Mr Taliana, if guilty, you denied those kids a father, and that women a husband, and Malta in general a good man. please do not ask for leniency.

Dr Savior Tortell Pisani

Aug 13th 2009, 01:13

That people have one-drink-too-many IS utterly unacceptable! When this is coupled with driving and other activities that put other people's lives at risk, it is outright reckless and becomes one of the most heinous acts I can think of!

.................I INSIST THAT GETTING DRUNK IS **THE** CRIMINAL ACT! .................

...given that people are so notoriously incapable of taking responsibility of their actions later!!!! Don't we EVER learn? Which politician is going to take the bull by its horns and start changing our Laws???

Dr GONZI and Dr MUSCAT... Please heed to my requests! Do something! And do it Quick!

If found guilty of drunken driving, this chap should be punished ever so harshly, if for nothing else, to send a strong message to our half-drunken Nation! I'm SICK OF DRUNKS and I will wage a CRUSADE on this!

Dr Savior Tortell Pisani

Aug 13th 2009, 00:58

Well, without passing judgement on the case... It is still worth having a look at Mr Taliana's very healthy lifestyle. He is just the type of guy I would want my 17 year old daughter to hang around with. I'm sure his "BeSt FrienD" is being very kind to him at the moment!

In his own words:.......

mY BeSt FrienD........
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonitaliana/3446733643/
D.E.A.L.I.N.G..........
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonitaliana/3530920860/
;P..........
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonitaliana/3479910956/
not jap = Crap..........
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonitaliana/3446700121/
No comment!.......
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonitaliana/3504444272/

I hope this serves as a lesson to our rapidly deteriorating youth!

O. Sant' Angelo

Aug 13th 2009, 00:45

Without prejudice to the case...

@ Michael Neville Cassar, V. Fenech
If I happen to be driving when it's too dark to see, I switch on the headlamps which give me great visibility for many, many metres ahead of me. If there are no street lamps, I use the bright lamps which offer even more visibility.
I assume you do the same. Allegedly, why not Taliana?

@Anthony Micallef
Imagine what you will about how Cliff was hit. Following any scenario you can come up with, Taliana still allegely ran away from the scene without offering any potential life-saving assistance.
Looks like a comma to me.

@John Pisani
Could a court expert determine how the glass got there? It's one thing for glass to fly around and it's another for someone to sit on glass after getting up.

David Schiavone

Aug 11th 2009, 23:09

To start with Taliana is being accussed of manslaughter, but one can't tell exactly what might have happened. I will just comment on myself, I recall about 8 years ago passing by with my father as a passenger in my car and we where driving literally like we are driving on eggs near the car dealer at bir-d-deheb, and all of a sudden out of the middle of nowhere a man crossed the street without even looking well if we would have killed him god knows the trouble we would have gone through. In this case Taliana might have been a bit tipsy coupled with some tiredness due to extremely late night out he did not see the victim and just crashed into him causing the death of the victim and damaging the car. When I drive early in the morning I always drive carefully and try not to reach high speed, so just in case I would meet something un-expectedly especially going through bends like the coast road I would not be surprised. I have heard horror stories and believe me, i prefer crashing into wall and injuring myself rather then killing someone else..or my killing my loved one..

Michael Andrews

Aug 11th 2009, 23:00

The law says ur innocent till proven guilty so we must abide by the law..... granted.
Failing to stop at an accident is serious in my view as however long it took for someone else to find Cliff,his life might have been saved.
@ Anthony Micallef. The level of alchohol in his blood was 33 and just below the legal limit of 35.. however we have to take into consideration the breatherlyser test was taken 6 HOURS after the accident.
And all of you asking for community service.......... come on........would you really be asking for that if it was a member of YOUR family who was killed? I seriously doubt it.
I don't know Mr Taliana... So i can not judge him as a person but if he is found guilty of his alleged crimes,the courts have no option but jail time in my opinion.
My heart goes out to Cliff's family right now and hope they get through this sad time in their lives.

John Pisani

Aug 11th 2009, 20:39

It would be interesting to know during the rest of the hearing how Miss Natasha Chesney, 17 from the UK, had pieces of glass that was broken from the windscreen stuck in her buttocks!!!!! And by the way 17 is till a minor.

Pule' Carmel

Aug 11th 2009, 20:15

I believe that the beginning of crime exists because schools and religions bore many high spirited children.

Schools and religions do not cater for all types of intellligences hence the consequences.
What do these institutions do for the following traits???

* ability to understand oneself.
* ability to think logically and mathematically.
* ability to use images and spatal relations.
* sensitivity to Pitch, Rythm, and Music.
* Ability to communicate and socially engage in an extrovert manner.
* Ability to identify patterns and relations within dynamic behaviour as in sports.
* ability to execute physical movements and tools.
* ability to use language both as an aid for thinking and communications.
* ability to perceive what is required to do and plan its sequence in series or parallel combinations and multitasking.

I have experience of bored children in class, biting other children, and where the teacher adviced the mother to take the child to a psychiatrist ,when all it was, was solely due to the fact that the teacher herself presented the most boring lessons. Mental age is sometimes higher than the physical age and the curtailing of high spirited children can turn them into criminals.

Michael Neville Cassar

Aug 11th 2009, 19:22

A woman who was with Mr Taliana in the car, Natasha Chesney, 17 from the UK, told the court this morning that she had not seen the cyclist before the accident took place. She panicked when the accident took place and started screaming.
Does this mean that she was distracted by something at that point in time ?,or was it too dark, or was Cliff Micallef camouflaged with some obstruction?

James Craig Wightman

Aug 11th 2009, 19:15

I agree with Malvin Debono, its just standard criminal procedure, the guy is innocent until proven guilty, but yes the laws do actually need a serious overhaul, my sympathies to the lady who lost her mother. For the record I'm a cyclist too. I even rode at Cliff's funeral, although I was only on nodding terms but I (and most people there) felt he would have wanted to make a statement. So @ Stefan C Borg and those of you who can, just get out there and ride - lets do what Cliff loved... and ride

Anthony Micallef

Aug 11th 2009, 18:47

As alot of people wrote below, neither I nor yourselves know what actually happened during that day. Mr.Taliana was not drunk as the alcohol levels where 33 and the legal limit is 35! Can't the bycycle rider just lost control and ended up in the middle of the road while Mr. Taliana was driving? I dont want to be the devils advocate but as per below comments let the courts decide.
Mr Taliana is innocent until proven guilty. fullstop.

Ludwig Flask

Aug 11th 2009, 18:42

"granted bail and placed under house arrest against a deposit of €1,500 and a personal guarantee of €5,000", seems to Maltese Law we're not worth more than a class B vehicle!

j.spiteri

Aug 11th 2009, 18:23

two pickpockets jailed and an accused murderer only placed under house arrest???am i ready properly or did i get the stories tangled in any way?????please tell me there is a misprint somewhere!!!!!

Miriam Ellul

Aug 11th 2009, 18:09

While I fully sympathize with the Micallef family and condemn all type of negligence in our roads, I cannot cease to show solidarity to the Taliana family as well. I can understand the anger at the loss of this innocent sports man but we cannot forget, in the name of Christianity, that there are a mother and father,who are being hurt by all these comments and emails which were sent. I am sure, that if proven guilty, Anthony will get what he deserves ... but that's not for us to see or judge ... ! I'm sure that if there had been somebody else in his place the same would have happened! I agree with Mr.I. Vella, that he will be sent to community work .... that way he will perhaps learn his lesson. Other wise it should be left in the court's decisions! N.B. I know neither Cliff or Anthony ... and this is only my opinio

V. Fenech

Aug 11th 2009, 18:01

Whilst I am deeply sorry for the Micallef family, I am also utterly disgusted by some comments below... To start with, Mr. Taliana did NOT do it on purpose! No one in his/her right senses would do that. Secondly, why are most people saying that this young man was drunk? Is there any proof that he was?? Thirdly, this tragic accident (& accidents do happen unfortunately), happened before sunrise, therefore it could honestly be that somehow Mr. Micallef was not visible. True that Mr. Taliana left the scene, but different persons react differently to panic &/ fear. People, pls, where is our compassionate nature? ... And most of us Maltese boast about our catholic values???

J Grech

Aug 11th 2009, 17:06

Wait a minute; there was a passenger in the car? This passenger did not report the accident either? Using the excuse "I was in a state of panic" and "he was in a state of shock" is absolutely unbelievable and absurd. Thank God they left the bumper behind to identify them as I doubt their "state of panic" would have ever worn off. What is a 17 year old "woman" doing out all night and driving home with a young man "after a few drinks" ? The sheer stupidity of these statements is enough to drive anyone mad! Leaving the issue of drunken driving aside they both left a man to die on the road and they knew it. May they both confess to this at least and not do the bereaved family the indignity of making excuses for their behavior.

S. Cassar

Aug 11th 2009, 15:14

Can I remind all those that think Mr. Taliana is innocent until proven guilty that this was a hit and run. I don't know how much the man drank, I don't know how fast he was actually driving and I don't know whether it was his fault at all that he hit Clifford, all this is for the courts to decide. What i do know is he hit Cliff, left the scene without trying to help and tried to hide his car away, the only reason he got caught is because he left his number plate behind. If he stayed at the scene to face the consequences or gave himself up straight after the accident It might be a different matter but this guy tried to get away with it. Thats why he should be kept in custody.

smifsud

Aug 11th 2009, 15:14

@ I.Vella ......i think that is a great idea in your comments and he would be more useful in that capacity to talk to others of his mistake and promote safe alcohol/drug free driving or lifestyle ....great idea for sure ...but also MrTaliana needs to have genuine remorse and do his time if found guilty and only after that he can do the latter ...we dont want to make him a star from this tragedy he allegedly caused but he can make genuine amends to society buy volunteering his changed ways and preaching abou it ...that is if he ever gets to that point .

K.Tanti

Aug 11th 2009, 15:09

Even those who are accused of voluntary homicides are granted bail, why this man who is accused of involuntary homicede has to be in prison till his trial?
@James MIcallef"Jien ghax mandix cittadinanza barranija, ghax nahseb kieku ilni li tlaqt il-barra minn dan il-pajjiz !!"
Easy James , you are free to live in other 26 european countries as you are an EU citizen

I Vella

Aug 11th 2009, 14:55

From what I have read and by looking at his eldest son I am sure that Cliff Micallef was a wonderful person. A big loss to his family and to society. He lived sowing the seed of love and am sure he would have liked to see something good coming out of this great tragedy. What about instead of sending this youth to jail, he should be given community service for the next I don't know how many years. Let him realise the sorrow and the suffering he brought on so many others. Make him contribute to the Life Cycle Challenge and give a drop of what he had destroyed. The Micallef Family is constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

smifsud

Aug 11th 2009, 14:40

Another nail in the coffin for malta ...bad PR ..its one extreme to another ...in malta illegal parking or smoking a joint is more of crime then drinking and driving causing death !!!....now tell me is this what kind of country we want ?and do you think people like coming here after they read this kind of thing ?.....its always a roll of the dice in malta...if you come YOU Might have a good time and then you Might not ...and it will be a nightmare !!!

Joseph Stephen Galea

Aug 11th 2009, 13:26

Is anyone here aware of the fact that at this stage Maltese law assumes that Mr Taliana is innocent?

Veru Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse ... no one is ready to let justice take its course.
Just wondering if the court will be availabe to find enough unbiased jurors.
And please dont get me wrong. I fully sympathize with the Micallef family

J. Caruana

Aug 11th 2009, 13:23

A Mickey Mouse country!! I'm so sorry for the victim and his family. May he rest in peace.

Stephen Banavage

Aug 11th 2009, 13:17

This must be the joke of the year !!
Not seeing Cliff from a passenger seat even though he was wearing his favourite yellow jersey. She must be blind...

Roderick Cutajar

Aug 11th 2009, 12:54

Yet another case of injustice. It seems like anyone can do what he pleases in this country and all they get is a smack on the hand. Do the courts even take into consideration that this person was allegedly driving while drunk and that he allegedly sped off after the accident...and worse still that he allegedly killed a guy?

Does nothing ever WORK in this country?

elly grech

Aug 11th 2009, 12:48

I wonder how this young lady would feel it Mr Taliana had run over her father and if she would testify in the same manner. The law should charge her for failing to call the police to report the accident since she was part of it!!!

Adrian Camilleri

Aug 11th 2009, 12:47

Come on folks. All of this chit-chat serves no real purpose.
Cliff Micallef is dead and that is a tragedy. Anthony Taliana stands accused of involuntary homicide (since there is very little evidence to indicate that he intended to kill Mr. Micallef).
Yes - the bail amount is offensive if Mr. Taliana is indeed guilty of the crime he stands accused of.

However, lets be clear here. The more people display their righteous indignation in forums like these, the more difficult it becomes for Mr. Taliana to receive a fair trial. Does anybody want this guy to get off because his lawyers used the posts on this board as evidence that he cannot and will not receive a fair trial anywhere in the Maltese islands ? That would be another tragedy.

If you're mad at this guy feel free to vent your anger AFTER his trial or he may never get one.

stefan c borg

Aug 11th 2009, 12:45

unbelievable.... im very encouraged to get back on the streets with my bike.

Peter Korsten

Aug 11th 2009, 12:44

The comments on this site are really unbelievable. Why don't we do away with the Maltese justice system, and hand a piece of rope and a convenient tree to some of the commentators below?

From what I understand, there's still the little detail of the court case, and that the guy has to be found guilty first, before there can be a question of punishment.

If you want immediate punishment, perhaps you should join the Taleban, because it would be more in line with their views.

G. Busuttil

Aug 11th 2009, 12:41

Remember innocent until PROVEN guilty.
It is in front of properly constituted courts that the case must be heard and the accusation proven or otherwise and not in the streets or on the internet.

Joseph E Briffa

Aug 11th 2009, 12:41

With all due respect I fail to understand how a person who allegedly killed a cyclist because he was driving under the influence of drink is put under house arrest....especially when the person had already been convicted of careless driving a few months ago... and what if he drives again under the influence of drink, without insurance - as no insurer will insure him and again kills somebody? This person does not know his limitations; and what were these 'couple of drinks'? In the first place a 'couple' does NOT necessarily mean just two; secondly drinking a couple of beers is one thing, drinking two schnapps or vodka is another. Moreover, not everybody is affected to the same extent by the same volume of alcohol; some can take two pints of beer and are still in 'full' possession of their faculties, while others feel high even after a bottle of beer. Again another factor is the duration over which alcohol is consumed - having a pint of beer in 45 minutes is one thing and gulping the beer down is another; drinking on an empty stomach results in the rapid absorption of alcohol in the blood stream.

Joe Vella

Aug 11th 2009, 12:29

@ Daniela Polidano and all

Mr. Taliana have not been found guilty of any crime yet. Why don't you leave the course of justice to take place? Perhaps you would have preferred for Mr. Taliana to be kept at Corradino at yours' and mine expense.

Unfortunately, there are many of the likes of Mr. Talianas' driving on our roads every single day. That is if he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

One dark side of Maltese Culture I presume.

Edward Bugeja

Aug 11th 2009, 12:22

Why on house arrest, in the comfort of home with all the luxuries of life. While the children of Clifford are suffering without a parent.
I agree with Dr Saliba in what he is saying and that is why he should pay harsh penelties for his crime, if he is found guilty.
Mr Taliana is also accused of careless and dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and without insurance, failing to stop after causing an accident, and relapsing.
Does this give him any rights?????????

Marisa Muscat

Aug 11th 2009, 12:21

X'ARUKAZA !!!

Kenneth Cassar

Aug 11th 2009, 12:18

@ D Fenech:

According to previous reports, his driving license had already been withdrawn for reckless driving in at least one other case.

Andy Towler

Aug 11th 2009, 12:18

Granting bail seems bizarre in this case - never mind what the guarantee amount is. I think if I was Maltese I'd be saying "Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse" at this point...

Jacqueline Vella

Aug 11th 2009, 12:13

It is true that some drivers drive recklessly but I think that the Government should plan its roads more carefully. Why do we have enormous pavements and then no bicycle lanes?

P Abela

Aug 11th 2009, 12:01

Unfortunately that's the law. Do NOT expect the courts to go beyond the spirit of the law. It's the legislators who draw up laws. The courts interpret and apply them. Then again our legislators have got too much on their plate to update the laws accordingly.

adrian agius

Aug 11th 2009, 11:57

What is happening in this country???

Are the laws there to be broken or what??
Are we joking??

Brian Maloret

Aug 11th 2009, 11:57

Being given house arrest suggests that a non custodial sentence is being considered if and when he is convicted. Otherwise, why would the authorities let him out of prison at this time.

V. Borg

Aug 11th 2009, 11:55

Recently a lawyer admitted that THE LAW IS AN ASS!

And what an ass!

Malvin Debono

Aug 11th 2009, 11:48

Erm people this is not his punishment but a standard procedure in criminal law. If found guilty of involuntary homicide then he might be in forsome serious jail time. Let's not start jumping the gun and acting as judge and jury please!

Jan Chircop

Aug 11th 2009, 11:40

Unbelievable 5,000 euro guarantee only?

S. De Battista

Aug 11th 2009, 11:39

Sad day for Malta!
His records shows that he is irresponsible and careless driver. Where's Justice?

D. Fenech

Aug 11th 2009, 11:31

What about his driving license?

Dr Francis Saliba

Aug 11th 2009, 11:24

It is a common fallacy that the danger of driving under the influence of alcohol exists mainly in those who would need assistance to get to their car. That is not true. Infinitely more dangerous are drivers with a much lower alcohol concentration in their blood, that would not impair their walking to their motorcar and to drive it but under a lesser degree of "alcoholic influence" that induces over confidence and risk taking accompanied by slower reflexes.

k.borg

Aug 11th 2009, 11:23

you must be joking! our law system is a joke!!!