A Pembroke resident who started a hunger strike in front of the Auberge de Castille this morning has suspended the action after Prime Minister Joseph Muscat spoke to him, invited him over at Castille and said that action will be taken. 

Dean Camilleri, a 31-year-old MCAST student said that he was willing to not eat until the authorities stop ignoring his complaints about excessive noise pollution coming from Paceville, more specifically Villa Rosa, an event venue situated close to where Mr Camilleri resides.

A spokesperson from the OPM confirmed that Dr Muscat would like decisive action to be taken, and that ultimately it is the authorities who need to act on the complaints.

The OPM spokesperson added that a court case is currently ongoing with the owners of Villa Rosa, due to the excessive noise complaints.

Villa Rosa is situated in St George’s Bay, and Mr Camilleri says that the events held there usually last well into the night and the early morning hours. He says he is unable to sleep because of the blasting music, which rattles his bedroom windows. He says he has been living like this since summer last year.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, Mr Camilleri said that there are laws which are there to carry enforcement, but for some reasons, the authorities fail to take any action. "I am here to show the Maltese people the problem we have to face every day."

Following the meeting with Dr Muscat, Mr Camilleri was pleased with the way talks went and felt as though his concerns had been heard. 

He told journalists he would call the police up to ten times a week but the reply is always the same. “Whenever I call the police they say that music can be played until 11pm. They say all we can do is to file a report,” he says, accusing the police of employing delay tactics.

Mr Camilleri has written to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and has also reached out to a number of ministries but says he was ignored by all. "They left me with no choice," he added.

“Pembroke residents are forced to live in a night club,” he insisted.

Mr Camilleri said he would be striking in front of the Office of the Prime Minister every day from 9am to 2pm until action is taken. “I have lost all faith in the authorities,” Mr Camilleri said.

Shortly afterwards, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat showed up and invited Mr Camilleri inside. Mr Camilleri suspended the strike after the conversation.  

Photos: Jonathan Borg