Mario Gatt, the driver accused of killing a German pedestrian in Sliema, suffered a temporary blackout, the court heard yesterday.

Mr Gatt, 36, of Żurrieq was granted bail after being charged with the involuntary homicide of Rainer Mader in a traffic accident along Tower Road on Monday.

He was also accused of damaging two cars, dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and being in possession of cannabis resin. Mr Gatt pleaded not guilty.

Mr Mader, 42, was enjoying the first day of his holiday when the accident happened just metres away from the Preluna Hotel, where he was staying. A scale model enthusiast, he had been visiting the island since 1999 and had made many friends who described him affectionately as a “gentle giant” and a “generous man” who was “Malta’s best ambassador”.

Defence lawyer Joe Giglio said police investigations confirmed Mr Gatt was not driving under the influence of drugs, as had been reported by certain sections of the press. The prosecution did not challenge this statement.

Dr Giglio argued that his client suffered from a condition which caused blackouts that could last between three and five seconds. Sources said the condition was a form of epilepsy.

Medication to treat it had been increased on January 6, the lawyer said, adding it was never indicated to the accused that the condition precluded him from driving. The prosecution pointed out that Mr Gatt had never informed Transport Malta, the regulator that issues driving licences, of his condition.

Man granted bail but is banned from leaving the island

Dr Giglio said it might be the right time for Transport Malta to reconsider the conditions attached to driving licences.

Mr Gatt, a bank employee, was allegedly driving a black VW Golf which first crashed into a car near Bisazza Street before hitting the German tourist, pinning him against a pick-up truck. The car stopped briefly, then moved again, stopping further down where Mr Gatt was arrested.

The force of the impact caused the pick-up truck to turn some 45 degrees, leaving Mr Mader badly mauled. He died on the spot.

The defence argued it was a pity the prosecuting officer only had 48 hours to conclude his investigation, which did not give him enough time to look into Mr Gatt’s medical file.

The prosecution did not object to bail being granted since civilian witnesses had already been spoken to and the accused did not know them.

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia granted the accused bail against a guarantee of €20,000. No deposit was demanded but Mr Gatt’s father would act as guarantor and the magistrate explained to the accused the responsibility his father was shouldering.

Mr Gatt was precluded from driving any vehicle, barred from leaving the island, boarding a plane or ship of any sort and ordered to report every Monday at the Sliema police station.

Dr Giglio and lawyer Quentin Tanti appeared for the accused.

Police inspector Jason Sultana prosecuted.

The ‘republic’ of Gozo

Gozo may form part of Maltese territory but boarding the ferry is akin to leaving the island, according to the Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrate Marseann Farrugia was commenting when setting bail conditions in Mario Gatt’s case.

When specifying that Mr Gatt could not leave the island and board any ship or boat whatsoever, defence lawyer Joe Giglio asked her whether this included the Gozo ferry. To the surprise of those in the court room she said yes.

The reply prompted lawyer Robert Abela, who happened to be in the courtroom, to ask whether things would be different if a bridge connected both islands.

Smiling, the magistrate said the conditions were meant to make it easy for the police to track down Mr Gatt if he was needed. “And you know the police work differently in Malta and Gozo,” she said.