An espresso with Lino
Some people sure knock off early. Midday again, and Magistrate Herrera is once more having coffee in Pjazza Regina, this time not with John Bundy, Andy Ellul, Vince Micallef and a ‘hamallu in a denim jacket’, but with somebody she’s allowed to have coffee with without breaking any ethical rules: Judge Lino Farrugia Sacco. So a gold star for that.
Not so much of a gold star for lunch last Sunday at Don Berto’s in Birgu with John Bundy the spare wheel and Robert Musumeci. Doesn’t John Bundy have a home to go to?
And just in case you’re wondering why I’ve posted this, it’s so that Ronnie Pellegrini can rush over in his pale gold suit and cream tie with a a bunch of Facebook flowers, and buy her an espresso, just like he bought one for Jason when I last saw them there in their coordinated outfits.
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Another espresso at Cafe Cordina.
Is that where they got their expression “wejk appp end smell di kofffiiii?
Daphne
I would really like to thank you for the sterling work you are doing to bring seriousness back to this country.
And I am saying this without any hint of irony – lest certain know-it-alls who post comments on this blog misunderstand me, Twanny tipo…
and in a couple of years Aristocrat, certain people who should know better will be kicking themselves for having conveniently (they think) stayed on the fence..Bla koccli!
1. Tajba ukoll says:
Tuesday, 16 March at 1446hrs
Or maybe she’s afraid of too many questions about the intrigue involving the parties to this case?
http://www2.justice.gov.mt/kawzi/ccm_case.asp?FrmCM=209556&lng=ENG
Isn’t that the same Carmelo Galea who asked Consuelo to act on his behalf at Lija Council concerning a development project in Transfiguration Avenue? And isn’t the Commission for the Administration of Justice investigating a matter involving Magistrate Herrera and property developer Carmelo Galea?
Malta Today had reported on the Lija issue
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2008/08/31/t12.html
The situation is scandalous!
The business and social relationship between Magistrate Scerri Herrera and Dr. Carmelo Galea is a well known fact, especially so in Gozo. Did this relationship exist during the period that Magistrate Scerri Herrera was serving in Gozo where she presided over several cases involving Dr. Carmelo Galea and when quite a few controversial decrees were handed out?
Now that these shenanigans have come out in the open, thanks to the indomitable Daphne Caruana Galizia, and every Tom, Dick and Harry is discussing these issues, what are the elite entrusted with the responsibility to safeguard the well-being of our society doing to protect the common citizen?
I directly ask the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Justice, the Commissioner of Police and the Attorney General whether any of them have initiated an inquiry to ensure that the Gozo Court was not hijacked during this period and that the individuals whi resorted to the judicial system to resolve their disputes were not ill-served?
Perhaps, the honorable members addressed above are afraid of the outcome if they request an enquiry? Perhaps they know that by doing so they would be stirring a veritable hornet’s nest. But then what about the unjustly aggrieved parties who were overwhelmed by the court decisions or those who did not have the time or money to follow the matter further?
With respect to the above situation, can the aggrieved persons refer the matter to the European Court of Human Rights if nothing is done (as is most likely) to redress any wrong doing perpetrated in our Courts?
Only Dapne will go all the way to safeguard what are effectively OUR rights, not just hers.
It is a tremendous responsibility she has taken on and let’s face it, the Prim Imhallef or whoever is just sitting there and hoping it will all go away. Bloody marvellous !
All possible legal remedies available in Malta must be exhausted before a case may be presented to the ECHR.
Ta’ Ninu
It is possible for everyone to go all the way to safeguard their own rights. One of the reasons for the rot in our system is that too many people expect someone else to shoulder their burden.
@ Ta’ Ninu.
Daphne is NOT Batwoman or some other comic-strip heroine.
This is journalism.
It is up to the authorities to do something, having now been alerted by Daphne.
The ball lies in the court of the Judiciary and Parliament.
We expect action to be taken. Serious action.
My apologies everyone. I meant my post to start as follows:
”Unfortunately it seems that ONLY Daphne is going all the way to safeguard …………
Meaning that we should all be voicing our opinion and giving her all the support she deserves, and not just on this website.
It is impossible for Daphne to continue fighting a lone battle, although I must admit she is doing a superb job.
The aggrieved parties can:
1. appeal against a particular court decision
2. file a complaint with the Commission for the Administration of Justice, providing the necessary evidence.
“wonderwoman” may have been a tot more flattering than “batwoman”.
well he is widowed and she is seperated so i do not see that there are any ethical issues here.
Those ethical issues you’re talking about have nothing to do with morality. One is allowed to drink cups of coffee in a crowded place with a member of the opposite sex to whom one is not married.
Judges are among the few individuals with whom magistrates may drink coffee in public without raising doubts, though in this case, one has one’s reservations.
Seeing magistrates (of a certain reputation) with judges could make me think that they are trading favours – I decide case X this way if you decide case Y that way.
Wheels within wheels within wheels.
It’s not good for trust in the system.
@Aristocrat
Even if what you say may perhaps have some element of truth in it (and I am not saying it does), this is something that I feel does not fit in to the issues at hand regarding Scerri Herrera.
My feelings are on the same lines as Isard du Pont’s. Let’s focus on the lies under oath, issues of ethics, reckless behaviour and bullying tactics.
Those are the reasons why Consuelo Scerri Herrera is a disgrace to the judiciary and should step down.
@ Alan
I think you are right as a rule. But every rule has an exception. And I was referring to the exception when I said “of a certain reputation”.
Let me explain what I have in mind. Because you are right, and Magistrate Herrera seems to have lied under oath, broken the Code of Ethics, behaved recklessly and resorted to bullying tactics, because of all that, I am worried that she is not “incommunicado” – that there are members of the judiciary and of parliament who do not find it unethical to appear in her company in public (let alone what happens in private).
My point is that people who have acquired a certain reputation because of their voluntary (mis)deeds should be incommunicado – at least until they clear their name, if ever.
SEEMS to have lied under oath?
Please!
@ La Redoute
Until it is proven in court, you cannot say that she lied under oath.
She has a right to a fair trial. If, after a fair trial, it is proven beyond reasonable doubt that she has lied under oath, then I will refrain from using “seems”. In the meantime, I will abide by the rules and say “seems”.
Failing to do so would mean a return to lynching.
Have you ever watched Hang ‘Em High, starring Clint Eastwood? That film was a good way of imparting some education on the pluses of a fair trial.
[Daphne – I didn’t think she would remember that lunch, but she had perfect recall, down to the twerp employee from the US embassy. So she either lied or she has selective dementia.]
@Daphne
We all know the answer, don’t you worry. But we still need a judicial pronouncement.
In the meantime, ARE THE POWERS-THAT-BE READY TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER SHE REALLY LIED UNDER OATH, when the current proceedings will have ended?
Or will they look the other way?
Now I understand why many peoples lives are on hold awaiting sentences from certain magistrates! This is a very pity state of affairs and someone MUST do something!! If it was not for Daphne these stories would still be kept as low as possible. Daphne I am no one, a zero, to ask you this but PLEASE if you know have any information on the judiciary it would be a noble gesture if you mention them as well. All Maltese citizens depend on the integrity of these people and furthermore we are being judged by these people. You have done a great service to the country by exposing wrong doings and unethical behavior. Well done, but please continue as its unfair that we await justice from other magistrates and maybe they are of the same shallow level of some. Besides, anymore information will prove that not all the judiciary is ****! This is a genuine plea and I have NO hidden agendas. Again, well done and keep it up. Thanks.
“Now I understand why many peoples lives are on hold awaiting sentences from certain magistrates!”
Indeed. Like this one
http://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/2010/03/10/this-is-the-policeman-who-sent-drinks-to-consuelo-and-with-whom-she-left-the-restaurant/
http://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/2010/03/10/would-you-buy-a-used-flat-from-this-man/
The case is still on-going. After almost 4 years. Under house arrest. For 4 years.
Under house arrest, and working for a property company, no less.
Unless he’s repeatedly selling his own home, I can’t see how he can be under house arrest and also hold down a job.
Lady C is surely getting some free publicity.
Magistrate CPSH should know that too much coffee is bad for hypertension and – she needs to refrain in order to better understand the advice she sorely needs.
She’s not getting any good PR advice, that’s for sure.
“And isn’t the Commission for the Administration of Justice investigating a matter involving Magistrate Herrera and property developer Carmelo Galea?”
Now there’ a good point.
Consuelo Scerri Herrera has already sworn, under oath, that the ONLY case the Commission for the Administration of Justice was investigating, was one related to the joint purchase of property with Carmelo Galea.
This was repeated again, through a public statement, through her lawyer, that “L’UNIKU rapport li kien hemm quddiem il-Kummissjoni ghall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Gustizzja kien rapport maghmul minn persuna individwali fejn allegat li jiena kelli xi propjeta flimkien ma avukat.”
The Commission then said that no decision had been taken on any proceedings before it involving Scerri Herrera.
The big question mark remains as to how many cases is the Commission investigating in relation to Scerri Herrera ?
Hemm, rajtu? Alex Vella Gera qal li ha jixluh tal- istorja li kiteb. U dan wara li diga rvinaw hajjet l-editur li ppublikaha.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100317/local/writer-to-face-charges-for-ir-realta-story
Mavamoriammazza’… Imbaghad ma’ Daphne Caruana Galizia jridu jaqbdu? Ghala ma jarawx kemm huma paljazzi tal- knisja u ta’ kuncetti astratti u ipokriti bhad- ‘decenza pubblika’? O x’misthija ta’ pajjiz. Stennuni ha ngib aspru u tazza ilma.
Le, le…Prosit ghalina, eh? INKOMPLU SEJRIN HEKK!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QLi-rHVaf0
ghajjut…SOS
Ixorbuh bil-mod il-cafe’ ma’ tmorrux tixirqu! Kemm qeghedin sew ukoll.
The hamallu in the denim jacket was Mr. Ray Demicoli “the matchmaker”.
kellha hafna spare time to kill today – it probably wasn’t one of those “decide your facebook friends’ cases” day, so she took it ezee……
Wasn’t she having lunch at Tarragon last Sunday? Maybe she has a twin sister who was having lunch with John Bundy at Don Berto?
[Daphne – No, Tarragon was supper on Saturday.]
Eur 1.30 for an espresso at the bar at Cordina’s. Are they out of their mind? Given Malta’s average salary, I wouldn’t expect to pay more than 70 cents.
This is a very serious matter and I feel that certain banal remarks are not doing any good to solve the grave problem of the low-level our justice system. First of all, even if the government hasn’t got a majority in parliament for the impeachment of the magistrate in question; I would certainly start impeachment proceedings in parliament – not on a “blog”.
[Daphne – The government does not impeach. Parliament does.]
The public has a RIGHT to know the dirt that has been swept under the carpet, and it took Daphne to start cleaning the mess; let us only hope that the matter will be looked into seriously – not like the matter of a person who has been under “house arrest” for four years. Really tears crop up to my eyes.
Then let somebody put forward a motion to start impeachment proceedings in parliament.
JUSTICE PLEASE ….bring back faith and trust to the judiciary system and court which has become a laughing stock to say the least. Thank you Daphne