Violence could never be justified and the annual commemoration of young Karin Grech’s tragic death helped renew the promise that such incidents should not happen, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

Dr Muscat was speaking on the 35th anniversary of the death of Ms Grech, 15, who died after opening a letter bomb addressed to her gynaecologist father who was considered to be a strike breaker during a doctor’s strike.

In 2010, the courts attributed the girl’s death to medico-political reasons.

Speaking at the San Ġwann garden dedicated to the young girl, Dr Muscat said that her sacrifice and that of Raymond Caruana, 26  who died after being hit by bullets sprayed at the Nationalist Party club in Gudja during a reception in December 1986  were siblings in a metaphorical way.

An emotional Edwin Grech, the victim’s father, thanked the people who attended the service, adding he doubted whether he would be able to make it to the ceremony next year given his health.

Anton Cremona, from the Karin Grech Commission, urged people harbouring different opinions to find peace by seeking forgiveness.

Flowers were laid at the foot of a monument bearing a bust of Ms Grech. It was blessed by parish priest Fr Effie Mallia, who later celebrated Mass for the repose of the young girl’s soul.