Vincent Muscat and Darren Debono, the two men charged with the attempted hold-up at the HSBC depot in Qormi and the subsequent shoot-out with police, were granted bail by the Magistrates' Court today.

This was the second time that Mr Muscat was granted bail. The first decision for bail was reversed after an appeal by the Attorney General.

The two submitted a fresh application for bail after evidence connected with the case was heard. The Attorney General was given a day's chance to appeal before the bail decision becomes effective.

Bail for both men was given against a deposit of €5,000 and personal guarantee of €15,000.

Mr Muscat, 48, had been granted bail five weeks ago but was re-arrested on appeal last week.

Mr Muscat and Darren Debono, 33, are facing 18 charges that include the attempted murder of two police officers who foiled the June 30 attempted robbery, which ended up in a shootout with policemen outside the bank.

During the incident, three men, wearing wigs and fake moustaches had entered the HSBC building in Qormi at about 7.30 p.m. The police arrived on the scene after receiving a tip-off about suspicious activity at the building and, on their arrival, a vehicle, parked in front of the bank, sped off with the officers giving chase. Three men were still inside the bank when someone called for help and the officers returned. When the intruders tried to leave, a shootout erupted in which about 60 bullets were fired. During the commotion, a second getaway car managed to escape with all the intruders.

Arrests started being made when Mr Debono turned up at a private clinic asking to be treated for a bullet wound to the jaw.