Irish photographer Donal Moloney went back to the Dublin tramp called Martin today to enquire about whether he was Maltese or had been to Malta, and got a confused reply.

Martin reiterated that he was born in Dallas. He said he had lived in several countries including Russia and Australia. When asked if he had been to Malta, Martin asked, between coughs, if they were talking about Italy, and then said he has been here, when he was about five or six.

Asked whether he had heard of St Edward's (College) he replied 'not recently'.

Mr Moloney said on youtube that he had spoken with the Maltese Embassy in Dublin.

"It's quite possible he is Maltese but we need to be sure. I asked Martin a few questions hoping he'd shed some light on the subject.

"Of course he may not be Maltese and I don't want people going into the city to hassle Martin and possibly scare him away to another location. The Embassy have agreed that this is the best plan of action for the moment," he said.

"I will continue to visit and closely monitor his health to the best of my ability."