Owners of two companies are furious because the police have ordered them not to go to a restaurant they run in Għajn Tuffieħa this weekend because of a fireworks display.

Stopping them from enjoying their property amounted to a breach of their human rights

In a judicial protest, Neville Fenech Limited and NMF Limited complained that they were told by the police that, on Saturday and Sunday, they should not go anywhere near the restaurant, which is situated on the seaside, because it would be dangerous.

The companies said that the fireworks were due to be let off on Sunday in an event organised by Trevor Micallef and the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA). The activity was authorised by the Police Commissioner.

The decision, they insisted, would negatively affect their business because the weekend was the time that they enjoy their best business.

Stopping them from enjoying their property because of a fireworks display amounted to a breach of their human rights, the two companies argued.

The restaurant in question was constructed out of wood and having fireworks let off nearby meant that the building would be exposed to a serious risk of burning down, they said.

The Riviera Martinique hotel could also be at risk given the fragile rock beneath it, which, the two companies said in the judicial protest, could be damaged by petard blasts.

There was also the very real possibility that unexploded fireworks could fall unnoticed into the bay, causing a threat to the public later on.

Despite such dangers, the MTA, Mr Micallef and the Police Commissioner had still acted in an irresponsible and negligent manner by allowing the fireworks to be let off there, the companies complained.

Both called on the Police Commissioner to immediately withdraw the permission given and held the MTA, Mr Micallef and the police responsible for any damages they could suffer.