Two men were injured, one of them critically, in an incident during a hearing at the Gozo law courts this morning.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli had just ordered a man out of the hall when he  barged in again and stabbed Joseph Portelli, 54 from Zebbug, Gozo, several times. The two men had been involved in a civil case. The Gozo Court registrar initially said that Mr Portelli's injuries are serious, but not life-threatening but the police said later on that he was in a critical but stable condition.

A lawyer, Dr Kevin Mompalao, 37 of Xewkija, also suffered an injury to one of his arms. His injury is not believed to be serious.

Both victims were rushed to hospital in an ambulance escorted by the police while the aggressor, a 32 year old man from Zebbug, was arrested. A court marshal was slightly injured in the resultant scuffle.

Mr Portelli was later transferred to Mater Dei Hospital.

The incident happened at about 11.30 a.m. during court proceedings. Spots of blood could be seen in the hall, the court entrance and the stairs leading out of the building.

Magistrate Paul Coppini is holding an inquiry.

Contrary to the law courts in Malta, there is no metal detector at the door of the Gozo  courts.

LAWYERS CALL FOR SECURITY

Lawyer Justyne Caruana, who is also a Labour MP, said she is petitioning other lawyers and proposing the suspension of all sittings until security arrangements are put in place at the Gozo courts. She also called for the installation of a metal detactor.

Sources said that this was not the first time that somebody had walked into the building carrying a penknife. In another case, a man brandished a penknife at  a lawyer. The weapon was taken away from him.

Security currently consists only in the presence of one policeman and the court marshals.