Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1529221
2 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 NOVEMBER 2024 2 JORDAN PACE jpace@mediatoday.com.mt JORDAN PACE jpace@mediatoday.com.mt A 32-year-old man accused of stealing a car and taking money from a shrine, has been placed under a two-year treatment order, with the court recommending psychiatric evaluation and pre- ventative custody if necessary. The accused, Patrick Ryan McGahern, allegedly stole a car on Monday 11 November, according to a police inspector. The police were given a descrip- tion of who the man was, and af- ter looking for him, they were not able to locate him since he was not residing at his fixed address. Among other things, the man was accused of forcefully stealing money from a shrine, and break- ing a probation order imposed on him in September. The inspector added that the man was later discovered to be receiving treatment at Mount Carmel Hospital. However, he was later told that McGahern was taken to Mater Dei Hospital after he said he swallowed a number of pills. The Court ordered the accused to be placed under a treatment order for two years starting from today and recommended that McGahern be readmitted into Mount Carmel Hospital. The Court also recommended that a psychiatrist from the Cor- rectional Facility take a look at the accused, and if tests prove neces- sary, the accused shall be placed under preventative custody in the Forensic Unit at Mount Carmel Hospital. Lawyers Clive Aquilina and Mir- yea Mifsud appeared on behalf of the Attorney General, and Inspec- tors Gabriel Micallef and Sherona Buhagiar led the prosecution. Alleged car thief placed under two- year treatment plan RONNIE Farrugia, a 64-yearsold man from Bormla, was sentenced to a three-year prison sentence after admitting to possessing child pornography and distribut- ing it to third parties around the end of October 2024. The inspector recalled how the police investigated Farrugia on three reports sent to the Cyber- crime Unit by the US-based NC- MEC (National Center for Miss- ing and Exploited Children). Farrugia was originally released from his arrest after the Court had informed the prosecution and defence counsel that it couldn't sentence the accused on the day he was arraigned. On 12 November 2024, the man admitted to the charges he was arraigned for two weeks ago, and thus the Court presided by Magis- trate Monica Vella, sentenced the man for three years for the posses- sion and circulation of child por- nographic material. At the request of the prosecution, the Court also ordered that Farrugia be added to the sex offenders' register. The prosecution was led by in- spectors Elton Buckingham and Carl Pace. Man gets three years injail for distribution of child porn PROJECT Green has received the Planning Au- thority's approval to create an open space in Triq Nerik Scerri, a site designated for development until a few months ago. The Lands Authority passed the Kirkop site to Project Green, along with three other sites in Lija, Luqa, and Ta' Giorni, to develop a green space in an urbanised area. A call for tenders will be issued soon. Once awarded, work will start on transforming the 1,600-square-meter plot into a multifunctional green space accommodating the Kirkop com- munities. Triq Nerik Scerri garden is within a 10-minute walk for approximately 300 house- holds. As with all of Project Green's projects, this garden will underscore sustainability as its cen- tral theme. It will feature 59 trees to create nat- ural shading, equivalent to a natural canopy of circa 600 square metres. Eco-friendly, porous pathways will be created around the garden for walking and bicycle use. To reinforce the eco-friendly approach of the project, Project Green expects 75% of the materials that will be used to be sustainably sourced. A water reser- voir will be incorporated to ensure efficient ir- rigation. Since the garden is designed to attract visi- tors of all ages and foster social connections, it will feature interactive play zones and a tree- house to provide a safe and engaging space for younger generations. Herb gardens and polli- nator-friendly areas will seek the attention of those with green fingers. Picnic benches will offer a resting spot for visitors. Environment Minister Miriam Dalli said: "Our aim is to provide residents in each community with an open space within a ten-minute walk from home. We are working to achieve that goal. This site and the three other sites repre- sent our strategic move to create more open spaces where buildings are permitted." CEO Joseph Cuschieri said: "The Kirkop gar- den project embodies our commitment to cre- ating sustainable, community-focused green spaces. By transforming this site into a multi- functional park, we are not only enhancing the area's ecological impact but also providing a welcoming space for the residents of Kirkop. This project is part of our broader mission to build greener, more liveable neighbourhoods across Malta and Gozo." Project Green is currently handling a portfolio of 118 projects across Malta and Gozo. Project Green's garden project in Kirkop gets green light