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Priest guilty for saying being gay worse than being possessed

Priest guilty for saying being gay worse than being possessed
May 31 2023 Share

David Muscat, a local priest, has been handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after arguing that being gay is worse than being possessed by the devil. 

Muscat had made comments on Facebook concerning Abner Aquilina, who was accused of murdering Paulina Dembska.

Muscat was arraigned in January of last year, charged with incitement to hatred or violence over comments about homosexuality. Muscat had claimed that Aquilina being gay was worse than being possessed by the devil. 

A magistrate’s court had dismissed the case, arguing that Muscat was merely expressing opinion. The Attorney General appealed the decision, with the original verdict overturned on Wednesday by a court of appeal. 

#MaltaDaily 

1,519 reports of abandoned vehicles in past three years

1,519 reports of abandoned vehicles in past three years
May 31 2023 Share

Answering a parliamentary question, Minister for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri revealed that there were 1,519 police reports of abandoned cars on the road in the past three years. 

Responding to a question tabled by PN spokesperson for Home Affairs Joe Giglio, Camilleri revealed that 619 police reports about abandoned cars found parked on the streets were filed in 2021. 

Meanwhile, there were 581 reports filed in 2022, followed by 319 reports filed in 2023 by April. 

The vehicles were reportedly removed by the owners themselves in the majority of cases, the Minister stated, after a removal notification was attached to their vehicles. 

Meanwhile, vehicles towed away by police were taken to the Ta’ Kandja complex in Malta or to a location indicated by the contractor in the case of Gozo. 

#MaltaDaily 

Register for those guilty of abusing persons with disabilities announced

Register for those guilty of abusing persons with disabilities announced
May 31 2023 Share

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli revealed that cabinet has approved the creation of an offenders register for people found guilty of abusing persons with disabilities. 

In her parliamentary speech, the minister outlined how this would see all homes being required to consult the register before employing any workers. 

Farrugia said that it makes no sense for a court to find someone guilty of abuse and yet that person goes on to join another entity or job wherein they would be tasked with the same work.

This comes after two carers from a Gozo church home having investigations initiated against them over claims of abusing a resident with a disability. 

The register would work in the same way the sex offenders register works, which sees all organisations which deal with children having to consult before employing someone. 

#MaltaDaily 

Former PL MP calls out PBS for not covering mayor protests

Former PL MP calls out PBS for not covering mayor protests
May 31 2023 Share

Former Labour Minister Evarist Bartolo took to Facebook to call out the national broadcaster for not giving any coverage to two mayors’ speeches during the Xebbajtuna protest in Valletta last Saturday. 

Mayor of Gżira Conrad Borg Manche and Mayor of Qala Paul Buttigieg both addressed the crowd on Saturday to a massive crowd of protestors in front of the capital city’s court. 

The two spoke out against the rampant construction plaguing the island, but Bartolo slammed state media Public Broadcasting Services for not covering any of what they had to say. 

‘If anyone finds (the two mayors), please inform the PBS newsroom first. The last time they were seen, both Labour Party mayors were at the national protest ‘Xebbajtuna’ last Saturday’ wrote the former Foreign Affairs Minister. 

He went on to critique how PBS did not interview or even show Conrad or Paul addressing the protest. 

The protest saw thousands rally in Valletta as various NGOs marched amid calls of ‘Xebbajtuna’ (we’re tired of you). 

#MaltaDaily