Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/421389
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2014 4 News MALTATODAY is informed that an eyewitness told the police that shots were fired while the Scotsman was driving away, and Sheehan was in the Mercedes, driving behind him, possibly at the corner of Triq Edgar Bernard and Triq il-Wied tal-Kappa- ra in Gzira. Stephen Smith was later stopped by police in the tunnels at Tal-Qroqq, refusing to take a breathalyzer test. He was found to have three times the normal blood-alcohol levels three hours after his arrest. Driving under the influence, Smith's car grated past the ministeri- al car on Nicholas Cottoner Street in Gzira, where Sheehan's mother lives. The security driver had dropped the minister's daughter at the resi- dence while Mallia was at the po- lice HQ. Photo evidence shows that the right-hand mirror of the hit car was detached and the side of the car scraped. Residents in Triq Wied il-Kappara who spoke to MaltaToday said that, at around 9pm, they heard the blar- ing of a horn and saw two cars com- ing to a stop at the end of the road. Reportedly, both men were stand- ing outside their cars: one of them was on the phone and the other was holding a gun. A few minutes later, between five to 10 minutes, residents heard gunshots. Cover-up allegation In his sole news conference on Thursday, Mallia was quick to point out that the incorrect version of events communicated by the gov- ernment had been informed only by the 'facts' as they were being relayed from the scene of the incident, in real-time. Muscat, on his part, on Friday said that government communications staff were eager to inform the media as quickly as possible and as such were incapable of independently ver- ifying the information as it was being relayed. He set much store in saying that the press was offered access to the scene of the incident, publishing the photos that confirmed the 'warn- ing shots' were indeed bullets fired into the car. The Opposition is adamant that the information as relayed by the government at the time of the inci- dent was part of a "cover-up". Muscat denied the allegation, say- ing no cover-up takes place under the glare of the cameras and the press. Busuttil yesterday reiterated claims by the PN organ In-Nazzjon that Smith's car was moved by a police low-loader 100 metres away from the site before the inquiry team was on the scene. He then implicated Acting Police Commissioner Ray Zammit in the 'cover-up'. Zammit on his part denied order- ing the car's removal, saying he or- dered Superintendent Alexandra Mamo to be present on site to order a magisterial inquiry. He added that the low-loader was brought down to take the cars to the CID yard after the magisterial inquiry is launched. "Al- though the car was loaded onto the low-loader, Police still stayed on site and an inquiry continued on site." Busuttil, in a press conference yes- terday at the site of the shooting, in- sisted that Mallia should resign. "He must shoulder responsibility for the attempted cover-up of this crime by claiming that there were warn- ing shots and for the removal of the Scotsman's car without the permis- MATTHEW VELLA THE Prime Minister's showcase of his government's second Budget will be marred by a reinvigorated Oppo- sition that is now questioning Joseph Muscat's credentials in exacting po- litical responsibility from Manuel Mallia. From a weekend in which Oppo- sition leader Simon Busuttil should have been taken to task over his un- sophisticated criticism of the Budg- et, it's Muscat who is burdened by the public's demand for blood after a shooting incident that could have been fatal. But the prime minister is already inferring that Mallia, who at the 'Shots fired while car was CALL FOR TENDERS Services Tender: Youth Guarantee Applications (Second call) - ESF 3.231 The Youth Guarantee scheme offers young people aged between 16-24 who are not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) an opportunity that could make a significant difference in their life. Through this scheme, the Government commits itself to help these participants, find employment. This scheme will offer personalised training in several fields. During the 18-week training period these individuals will undertake various work placements. Training and work programmes are tailor-made. WHERE TO REGISTER Malta: The Ministry for Education and Employment, Great Siege Road, Floriana Level 2 Gozo: Employment and Training Corporation Sir Arturo Mercieca Street, Victoria Registrations are open from Friday 21 November to Friday 28 November 2014, between 8am till 3pm. 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