The First Hall of the Civil Court, presided over by Judge Tonio Mallia, today upheld a request made by a 96-year-old woman so that the works taking place at a boutique hotel in Valletta which lies adjacent to her house are halted and only continue as soon as an architect is appointed by the courts.

The works at the boutique hotel had been temporarily suspended in view of damages caused to the house where Maria Schembri lives.

Recently, The Malta Independent visited the house, situated at Old Bakery Street, and took photographs of wall cracks and fissures which manifested when work started on the hotel a few months ago.

Following the publication of the story, a warrant of prohibitory injunction presented in court was provisionally upheld and works were temporarily suspended.

The damages to the woman’s house were caused during work on a building situated in Old Theatre Street, which is being turned into a three-star hotel.

The woman explained how on the first floor of the house, a stone block fell out of the bedroom wall, falling on a bed she occupies– causing her to move downstairs to sleep.  A stone was also dislodged in a separate bedroom and in the corridor.

She said that the contractor was informed of the damages, however completely ignored her complaints. The relatives expressed their anger at reckless disregard for the safety of the elderly woman.

During today’s sitting, the lawyer representing contractors Edward Calleja and Jesmond Falzon argued that only a slab of stone had been moved after some beams collapsed. She said that works had started in January and inspectors from the OHSA had visited the site and had given the go-ahead for works to continue.

However, Judge Mallia decided that the court is to appoint an architect and this is when works can continue.

Lawyer Richard Galea Debono appeared on behalf of the woman.