I should like to reinforce the public opinion that has seen the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia as an appalling sign that at least one vicious criminal group is operating on Malta.

There have been indications of inter-gang murders and many, as yet, rumours of cases of corruption and manipulation of Malta’s rules of commerce and taxation.

It is important for both the government and citizens to be aware of how dangerous the situation could become where such an ugly and utter challenge to Christian ethics and democratic government to prevail.

Let me mention an example. Between 1925 and 1932, in Chicago, savage gangs rapidly seized almost all power, waging war on anyone who disagreed with them and on each other. Murder, intimidation, bribery and the ‘organised’ election of corrupt politicians brought this criminal culture to the height of its power under such leaders as the notorious Al Capone (aka ‘Scarface’).

He personally ordered 33 murders. Violence by gang members led to the deaths of more than 100 others, many only peaceful citizens who refused to trade with the ‘Outfit’. The battle that broke this power was long, costly and bitter.

By 1932, Al Capone had been jailed but only for proven massive tax evasion.

His arrest, and that of other gang leaders, began some real decline in organised crime but the FBI found that some gangs persisted until the early 1950s. All this makes grim reading but Malta could incur such a dreadful history if mafia-style groups are not ruthlessly suppressed and their activities on Malta permanently eradicated.

This task will require citizens to disclose anything they know, or get to know, about gang rackets. It will require more detectives being engaged and cooperation with the police forces of other countries. The country has no alternative.

Only such a struggle for righteousness can show how deeply we realise the significance of Daphne’s sacrifice.