Police Constable Paul Sheehan, who is at the heart of controversy after firing at a car last week, was hospitalised this afternoon after an incident at his mother's house in Gzira.

Eyewitnesses said the constable and his brother flew into a rage when they saw inquiring Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras approach the house with a number of policemen.

His brother was reportedly heard saying "nobody is going to take him from here", apparently referring to his brother.

His comment was a reference to reports that Constable Sheehan is set to be arraigned today over last week's incident. Court sources said, however, that this was not the case and the magistrate was continuing her on-site inquiry. 

Shouting and the sound of broken items was heard inside the house before an ambulance was called and Constable Sheehan was taken to Mater Dei Hospital. It was not clear what Mr Sheehan had suffered from, amid reports that he had suffered  chest pain, or he had injured himself. 

Constable Sheehan, the driver of Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia, was suspended on Thursday after having on Wednesday, chased and fired at a car which damaged a mirror of the ministerial car. 

INQUIRY INTO MINISTER'S ACTIONS APPOINTED

Meanwhile the government announced this evening that retired Judge Alberto Magri will head an inquiry into last week's incident.

The other members on the Board of inquiry are retired judges J D Camilleri and Philip Sciberras.

The purpose of the inquiry is to investigate the behaviour and conduct of Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia and/or other officials in connection with the case.

The board was asked to determine in particular whether there was any irregular involvement by the minister or his officials, whether it was true that the minister had attempted a cover-up, and any other matter which relates to the conduct of the minister and his officials. 

The board was asked to report within two weeks.

 

ISSUE RAISED IN PARLIAMENT

Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia spoke briefly about the incident in Parliament when he was asked for his comments by Labour MP Carmelo Abela.

Dr Mallia said he deeply regretted the incident, not least because it amounted to a betrayal of confidence.

He said he never had indication that any of his security officers could do such a thing.

Amid rowdy interruptions Opposition deputy leader Mario de Marco said such statements should be made during the time for ministerial statements and other MPs should have the time to ask their own questions. 

Mr Abela said he had a right to expect a reply to his questions.

Continuing, Dr Mallia said he never shirked any responsibility and would not do so.

He said last week's incident was regrettable. He insisted he was not the first to have an armed escort. Late minister Guido de Marco had an armed escort, and former President Eddie Fenech Adami still had an armed officer detailed to him. (Uproar)

Dr de Marco amid shouting across the floor, said it was unacceptable for Dr Mallia to mention a minister who had passed away. Indeed, he should have learned from Prof de Marco that no minister should attempt a cover-up of a criminal incident. He should say who ordered the car to be moved, or for the media to be misled.

Continuing, Dr Mallia said the people who escorted Richard Cachia Caruana were armed. The people who used to give protection to Daphne Caruana Galizia were also armed.

Dr Mallia said he had not covered up for anyone nor ordered anyone to perform a cover-up. An inquiry had been launched and if any of his staff were involved in a cover-up, he would expect his resignation. 

This incident had hurt him. It was a betrayal of trust. He had even trusted his children in the car driven by his driver.

Dr Mallia hit out at anyone who said this was a return to the 1980s."He was with you at those times," Dr Mallia said, "I handled the Pietru Busuttil case, I wrote the foreward for Liuberta Mhedda,  I was at Tal-Barrani, I would not allow a return to those times," Dr Mallia said to a new uproar.

"I fought against those things and would not allow them to return through my ministry," he insisted. 

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.