Family of woman murdered by Irish ex in Malta call for independent inquiry into death
Tragic Nicolette Ghirxi was stabbed to death last Sunday night in Malta at her home in Malta by Edward Johnston.
![Family of woman murdered by Irish ex in Malta call for independent inquiry into death](https://europe.easybranches.com/uploads/news/2024/08/6707841.jpg)
The family of a woman murdered by her crazed Irish ex want an independent inquiry into her death.
Tragic Nicolette Ghirxi was stabbed to death last Sunday night in Malta at her home in Malta by Edward Johnston. The Dubliner, who was 50, had been living on the Mediterranean island where was shot dead by police after he pointed a replica gun at them.
Nicolette was laid to rest at the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Naxxar on Saturday morning. Mourners wore colourful clothing instead of black as they followed the wishes of the Ghirxi family.
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And the Times of Malta have reported that her family has called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her murder
Her former lawyer Joseph Borda said they wanted an inquiry “to establish the facts leading to her tragic death”. Borda urged the prime minister and the home affairs minister to initiate an inquiry “similar to the one that was opened following the murder of Bernice Cassar in November 2022”.
That particular inquiry was intended to determine whether the authorities were, or should have been, aware that Cassar’s life was in danger and if there were any failings in implementing domestic violence law.
“May I publicly ask Hon. Byron Camilleri and Hon. Robert Abela that a similar inquiry is opened to establish the facts leading to Nicolette Ghirxi's murder,” said Borda.
![An Irish man has been shot dead by police after allegedly murdering his ex partner](https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article33445623.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_JS342241797.png)
He explained that the ongoing magisterial inquiry, which primarily focuses on preserving evidence and determining criminal responsibility, “is insufficient to serve Nicolette with justice because the perpetrator is dead”.
Borda said that this should not be a matter of controversy, asserting that “Nicolette’s family have a right to know what led to her murder, and if her death could have been avoided.”
"This is the only way we can identify the state’s failings and how it failed Nicolette,” he said.
Johnston was shot three times after police believed he was about to open fire and told them he had killed Ms Ghirxi. He had used multiple social media profiles to harass Ms Ghirxi after they had ended a two-year relationship last December.
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