Magistrate Scerri Herrera in new request for protection order
Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera has submitted a new request to the Magistrates’ Court to issue a protection order to stop Daphne Caruana Galizia from writing new posts about her in her blog.
The new application was filed by the magistrate’s legal counsel, Stephen Tonna Lowell.
The original request was made at the opening of defamation proceedings against Ms Caruana Galizia.
Police Inspector Sandro Camilleri has asked the Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona to issue the protection order to bar Ms Caruana Galizia from writing anything further about the subject.
The officer pointed out that the "crimes" had continued but the argument was shot down by defence counsel Roberto Montalto, who argued that the prosecuting officer was throwing the principle of presumption of innocence out of the window.
He added there was nothing that the magistrate needed to be protected from.
The court had down the original request. A second, verbal request was also rejected.
22 Comments
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James A. Tyrrell
Mar 17th 2010, 20:35
@S Cavetta. Perhaps the 70's were better times. I know I was very happy during the 60's and 70's. Press freedom is one thing but Daphne Caruana Galizia takes it to another level by using the press and her little blog to launch personal attacks on people she doesn't like. That may be because they are more successful than her, or have a better personal life, or are better looking, or attract more attention in the papers than she does etc. Have you noticed that as she has aged most of her attacks are on other females?
I don't know about you but I find this whole line of gutter press journalism pretty sickening. I don't care who anyone is, they deserve a bit of privacy. I just can't understand the mentality of someone who wants to read about another person's personal life whether they are a celebrity, or a magistrate or an NGO member or whatever. Who cares? Go out and get a life for yourself for God's sake and stop trying to ruin other peoples!
S Cavetta
Mar 17th 2010, 11:40
Will you people listen to yourself? These comments about 'shutting her up' are straight from the 70s!!! You people need to embrace change and realize that democratic countries have press freedom. Some of you on here sound like your in North Korea!
James A. Tyrrell
Mar 16th 2010, 23:30
@CVella. In answer to your question 100% yes. Unlike Daphne Caruana Galizia I do not consider delving into other people's private lives as either a right or a privilege. Why anyone would want to stand up for this frustrated creature is beyond me.
CVella
Mar 17th 2010, 16:50
You claim that if your mouth were shut by a court order, you would be able to say it was 100% worthwhile. The hole in your argument is, of course, that you would be able to say no such thing nor any other at all.
Why anyone would bother so much about someone they consider unimportant is beyond me. Why not find some other interest instead?
CVella
Mar 16th 2010, 21:17
It would appear that the only comments James Tyrell makes are to miss the point entirely. Let me ask him this. How would he feel if the person whose rights and privileges were to curtailed went by the name of James Tyrell? Would he still be saying that shutting people up is worth the money?
James Tyrell has bored on all over the internet for years now. It’s time he realized that’s possible because no one has the right to shut his mouth and that the freedom he enjoys belongs to everybody else too.
Denis Catania
Mar 16th 2010, 21:48
CVella I can"t understand why anyone would not realize that DCG crossed the line.
CVella
Mar 16th 2010, 23:13
What line would that be, Denis - the one that you have laid down? There's something called the first amendment around where you live. Since you feel so strongly about limiting free speech, maybe you should lobby the US Congress to have it removed. But here's the catch: that would mean you'd no longer be able to protest in the US about what happens elsewhere.
Denis Catania
Mar 17th 2010, 16:24
Freedom of speech is one thing harassing someone and their friends is criminal even in the U.S.A. Where is your freedom of speech Mr or Mrs V ? You hide your speeches behind an initial. If you really believe in your freedom don't be scared to show your name.
J Camilleri
Mar 16th 2010, 15:40
Magistrate Herrera should open her own blog through someone and start mocking the other side Tom and Jerry style :)
Stefan Vella
Mar 16th 2010, 14:11
She seems to enjoy inflicting maximum damage on herself. Glutton for punishment comes to mind!
B Galea
Mar 16th 2010, 12:57
If I were the magistrate I'd simply let DCG vent - she'll eventually find herself hoisted by her own petard. The sooner we can get rid of BOTH these embarrassments, the better. The magistrate has lost all credibility, while DCG will realise, once this hullabaloo has died down, that her tawdry tabloid reportage has turned off a lot of prospective readers.
Anthony Farrugia
Mar 16th 2010, 09:03
@Senia Catania: This a democratic country with freedom of expression and liberty of the press.
J Martinelli
Mar 16th 2010, 01:53
If the magistrate feels that her conscience is clear, why go into all this trouble? Let the present case take its course.
All she has to do is to stop reading Daphne Caruana Galizia's blog. The current court case is dealing with an identical complaint, and such protection the magistrate is seeking again, has already been ruled out, so why ask again?
I am not the one who is qualified to give the magistrate a piece of advice, but I am almost assured that many thousands have already expressed their views!
Franco Farrugia
Mar 15th 2010, 22:39
@ Denis Catania: Oh, yeah? And why should Herrera get protection, if other, much more 'innocent' people, do not? Only today, two private citizens have been mentioned - people who simply have nothing to do with anything, yet DCG found it only expedient to mention them and to reproduce photos of them. So, Mr Catania, if Herrera deserves protection so does half of Malta!!!
Denis Catania
Mar 16th 2010, 18:48
Franco all Maltese should be protected from such abuse and this is why this case is important for all Maltese. A conviction might give the Maltese that protection. I read all the blogs and Magistrate Herrera is a victim matter of fact the Maltese citizens are the big victims. I don't care what any public figure does in her private life.
James A. Tyrrell
Mar 15th 2010, 22:09
It would appear that the only comments here are from three Daphne supporters. Let me ask you this guys. How would you feel if the person whose life Daphne was commenting on was your wife, or sister or mother? Would you still be saying that shutting her up was a waste of money?
Daphne Caruana Galizia has been tearing people's private lives apart in her column and her stupid little blog, with its small group of demented supporters for years now. It's time someone shut her mouth.
S. Camilleri
Mar 15th 2010, 21:58
What a bore... Why can't all magistrates act the part?
Denis Catania
Mar 15th 2010, 20:40
Magistrate Herrera does need a protection order.
Henric Borg
Mar 16th 2010, 11:58
yeah, from herself
laurence schembri
Mar 15th 2010, 18:58
Isn`t this waste of public money?
Joseph Calleja
Mar 15th 2010, 16:07
How long is this saga going to go on? A wise person once said , Sticks and stones may brake my bones but words will never hurt me. This is the 21st century, let's get on with it. Don't sweat the petty stuff and so on and so forth. To be continued....
victor vella
Mar 16th 2010, 13:18
I have known Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera for a long time since I was her customer when she was a lawyer. She was always serious in her work and treat my case in a responsible way. She was a dedicated lawyer and she does not deserve this harrasment. What she does in her private life must remain private. She is mature enough to live her life. Consuelo keep it up and I pray for you so that God gives you the energy and wisdom to get rid of all this garbage that is trying to smudge your reputation.