Vandals strike at PM mum's tomb

Family members visiting the grave of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's mother at the Addolorata Cemetery yesterday on Mother's Day made a grim discovery: the burial place was vandalised, damaged and torched.

Obscenities referring to Dr Gonzi's mother, Ineż, née Galea, were scrawled on the family grave. Marble slabs were broken and part of the grave, which belongs to the Galea family, was blackened by fire.

The vandalism was discovered in the morning by members of the family who went to visit the grave. Mrs Gonzi died two years ago in November.

Although Dr Gonzi was in-formed of the vandalism before speaking at a political dialogue event in Sliema, he did not mention or hint at it in any way in his address.

The Nationalist Party described the spoilage as a "cowardly act" and expressed solidarity with Dr Gonzi and his family.

The Labour Party described it as shameful and hoped the perpetrators would be caught and brought to justice. Party leader Joseph Muscat spoke to Dr Gonzi expressing his and the party's solidarity.

Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Michael Briguglio said: "It is especially sad that this happened on Mother's Day. In view of such a shameful act, our thoughts and solidarity go to the Gonzi family."