Updated: Two held-up on their way to ATM

Joe Xuereb

Nov 2nd 2009, 15:52

Laurence Darmanin, I do not want to enter into polemics with you about this as I am an atheist which means we will never agree on such matters. I am cool about that so please don't fret.
Thanks for quoting the pope (or a pope, cannot quite remember). A pope would say that, would he not? That what popes do last time I looked, decades ago. Popes don't usually get mugged. I mean, with all those Swiss guards milling around. And yet, if I am not mistaken, one pope was shot. And he survived the shooting. And he forgave his assailant, Agca Bey. How's that for the power of prayer. You weren't on your knees at the time were you Laurence?

Joss Galea

Nov 2nd 2009, 15:10

I beleive that ATM's should have some sort of security officers, especially at night.

E.Schembri

Nov 2nd 2009, 12:49

It is all the faults of our courts and magistrates.

Being soft with criminals only encourages more people to become criminals and more daring robberies. After all it pays, the robbers are €4400 richer in the blink of an eye! IF they are caught, they probably will be granted bail and allowed to enjoy their prize money.

The law should come down like a ton of bricks for anyone attempting a robbery or carrying a weapon. Only that will make sure that people think twice before carrying out such acts.

Lisa Schembri

Nov 2nd 2009, 11:16

They were robbed of 4400 euro...now how many people carry around THAT much money on them on a normal day?
The robbers must have known they were carrying a large sum.

I was in Valletta that day I think I had just left on a bus.
One moment of terror at 8:15 for the victims and at that precise moment someone else could be blowing out candles on a birthday cake.

Karl Mercieca

Nov 2nd 2009, 01:14

Funnily enough, at that EXACT SAME TIME today I got punched in the face and stomach and mugged of my mobile phone by two young men on the steep hill that leads away from Pembroke and is right next to St.Andrews Bar. (In full view of everyone)

Malta, a safe haven? Malta, a country free of petty crime? Malta, a country with a capable police force?

Riiiiiiiiggghhhhtttttt.

When I went to file a report and block my SIM at the police station, as I recounted my story, three young policemen (and one woman) just sniggered and laughed in jest of what I was saying. At least the guy typing the report on the computer wasn't joining in on the "fun".

My only consolation is that the phone that was stolen wasn't worth much.

Lawrence Darmanin

Nov 1st 2009, 23:21

@Joe Xuereb re-Praying for Peace

See what Pope John Paul II wrote after the 11th Sept. Terrorist Attacks

"Christian hope allows us to pray for those who do evil and for those who have to take the path of recovery. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it".

Joe Xuereb

Nov 1st 2009, 09:39

I lived with a Maltese friend in London for years and years. Never any problem. He then returned to Malta to settle. He was depositing money in Gzira. He was shot in the abdomen in a similar setup. He survived. The criminals were never caught. That was about twenty-five years ago. London is now crime-ridden. Is Malta emulating London, or London emulating Malta? Begs the question. If, as someone suggested, Christmas is coming and these crimes happen. Maybe it would be a good idea to cancel Christmas. And Laurence Darmanin, praying for peace never did work. People with sick agendas are stronger than any naive prayer. We say on a wing and a prayer (meaning a faint hope). Criminals do it on a scooter and crazy determination. It is the colour of money that dazzles one's half-brain.

Nigel Lawrence

Nov 1st 2009, 05:43

Christmas is coming. You can expect more of these events to take place in the very near future.
It's traditional.

R. Gauci

Nov 1st 2009, 01:07

@ Franco Farrugia

.. and the Courts are still handing out suspended sentences and bails galore. There is a huge sense of impunity among criminals which puts us law abiding citizens in big danger. We had gunfire shots fired in Valletta on a Saturday evening, what next??

J Falzon

Oct 31st 2009, 23:05

Police patrols are needed. And harsher sentences of course. It is logical that if crime pays people will commit crime.

Lawrence Darmanin

Oct 31st 2009, 22:48

It is ironic that while this robbery was taking place, an inter-religious prayer meeting entitled: Singing Together for Peace was being held a few metres away at St.John's Co-Cathedral with the participation of several choirs.

D. Xerri

Oct 31st 2009, 21:38

Seems like Palermo or Napoli not Valletta ! By any chance are there any police on the beat in Valletta or no ? or the police are at the police station waiting for such a report to come in?
F`Darek Bla Biza - Gol-Belt Bla Biza !

Reuben Gauci

Oct 31st 2009, 21:19

Thank God I was not walking by with my wife and small daughter at the time. I was actually planning to do so. Thank God no one was injured. Police efforts must be stepped up!!!!

Franco Farrugia

Oct 31st 2009, 20:42

We have come to this, now? Shots being fired at people in Valletta? This is becoming very worrying.