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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 12 APRIL 2017 News Herons rest in Malta before heading to Europe DIFFERENT heron species were observed at BirdLife Malta's Għadira Nature Reserve over the past days. The birds included a number of grey herons, as well as a squacco heron and a little egret. It is currently the peak of the spring migration for herons and egrets, while raptor migration is also picking up. Spring migration occurs be- tween mid-March and the end of May when birds leave their win- tering grounds in Africa to travel back to Europe to breed. According to BirdLife Malta, during this mammoth migration, birds face many obstacles includ- ing the arduous journey over the Sahara desert and the Mediterra- nean sea. This, the conservation group said, makes the Maltese islands a crucial stop-over point on the migration route for these birds, allowing them to seek ref- uge and rest before continuing further north. The birds included a number of grey herons, as well as a squacco heron and a little egret Transport Malta absorbs €92 million in EU funds JEANELLE MIFSUD TRANSPORT Malta has benefit- ted the most from EU funds over the last four years out of ale gov- ernment entities, parliamentary secretary for EU funds Ian Borg has confirmed. In total, the transport ministry has absorbed around €142 million in EU funds, out of which, Trans- port Malta will have absorbed al- most €92 million through various projects. Borg said that this clearly showed the government's commitment to- wards the sector. "The investment towards the in- frastructure of our roads increases accessibility, safety, as well as con- nectivity, whilst adding to the coun- try's competitiveness," Borg said. Turning to the Kappara junction project, Borg said that the area was facing traffic problems that were "continuously intensifying, and needed to be addressed." "Everyone was aware of the fact that this par- ticular area was not meeting traffic demands, and this is why the gov- ernment felt this should be one of the priorities," Borg said. "The performance of these vari- ous projects under the leadership of Transport Malta are just part of a broader plan that this administra- tion is committed to carry on," Borg added. Parliamentary secretary for EU funds Ian Borg (right) confirmed that Transport Malta absorbed most EU funds out of all government entities Man who assaulted two police officers handed suspended sentence A man charged with assaulting two police officers in a road rage incident was yesterday handed an 18-month sentence suspended for four years. Ryan Dimech, 37, from Zeb- bug, was accused of having threatened and physically as- saulted the police officers who arrived on site shortly after the collision involving the truck driven Dimech and another vehicle. The incident took place on 22 November 2007 as Dimech had been driving his father's truck in St Paul 's Bay, at around 7.00am, on his way to work. As he collided with a wom- an close to the Erba' Mwiezet roundabout, an argument broke out and the accused embarked on a tirade of foul words. A police officer who was driving past, stopped to intervene. However, upon sighting the officer, Dimech turned his anger upon the po- liceman, who called the Mosta station for further assistance. The arrival of two other of- ficers allegedly further infuri- ated the accused, who became aggressive and refused to obey police orders, resisting arrest, and kicking and punching the officers in a rage. In the ensuing scuff le, one of the police officers' glasses were broken and another needed medical treatment due to a spike in his blood pressure. Dimech was led away in a po- lice car swearing and banging all the way to the police sta- tion. The court, presided by mag- istrate Marse-Ann Farrugia, noted that, in view of the con- f licting versions given by the prosecution and the accused, weight was to be given to the testimony of the female driver since she was the most inde- pendent witness. It was noted that Dimech had reacted violently when the po- lice suggested that he was to call the wardens and move the vehicles so as not to obstruct the traffic f low. The court, taking note of the accused 's colourful record sheet, remarked that a minor traffic accident had sparked off the "argument and major drama." Observing that the accused had an anger management problem, the court however noted that Dimech had a stable job and was trying to change his ways. Although "aggressive and violent behaviour" was not justifiable, an effective prison sentence was not appropriate in these particular circum- stances, the court remarked. Finding the accused guilty, the court imposed an 18-month jail term suspended for four years and placed the man under a supervision order for three years. The court also ordered him to foot the bill for the police of- ficer's broken specs amounting to €60.56. Inspector Gabriel Micallef prosecuted.