More tests are required to determine whether the bones found in a field in Birżebbuġa are the remains of murdered taxi driver Matthew Zahra or some animal that had been buried there, a court heard yesterday.

Further DNA tests are being undertaken to help court experts establish this and perhaps end the saga for Mr Zahra’s family, who want to give him a proper burial.

Court-appointed experts Marisa Cassar and Ali Salfraz told Magistrate Josette Demicoli that tests on 242 bones found in the field were animal remains. There were a few ribs and other bones that could not be identified, so further forensic tests were required.

The experts were testifying in the compilation of evidence against Jason Galea, 39, of Birżebbuġa and Ronald Urry, 49, of Paola, who stand charged with murdering 27-year-old Mr Zahra in August 2012.

Remains that police believe to be his were found buried in a field in Birżebbuġa close to where the bodies of Mario Camilleri, 51, known as l-Imnieħru and his son Mario, 21, were also discovered. The two had been murdered in July 2013.

Police Inspector Michael Mallia also testified during yesterday’s sitting. He explained his involvement in the investigation of the disappearance of the Camilleris.

He said a certain Emanuel Farrugia and Mr Galea, who was the elder Mr Camilleri’s brother-in-law, were the last two to contact the murdered father and son. Mr Farrugia took the police to a field where he had previously taken Mr Camilleri and that was when the police made the grim discovery.

He said that at a later stage in the investigations, the police discovered more bones, which they suspected belonged to Mr Zahra.

However, these bones were mixed with those of animals that had been buried in the same field, so the process of sifting through them began. Inspector Mallia said he had also interviewed Alfredo Attard, the owner of the field in question, who told the police that Mr Zahra had been buried there by Mr Urry and Mr Galea.

Mr Attard also told him that while the two were burying Mr Zahra’s body, he spotted Mr Galea removing a gold chain from around Mr Zahra’s neck.

Inspector Mallia said that when Mr Galea and Mr Urry were arrested, they were at first hesitant but later admitted to their involvement.

The case continues.

Police inspectors Louise Calleja, Michael Mallia and Chris Pullicino prosecuted.

Lawyer Franco Debono appeared for Mr Urry while lawyer Joe Giglio appeared for Mr Galea.

Lawyer Stefano Filletti appeared parte civile for the Zahra family.