One of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s sisters has said that the guilty plea made by two men accused of killing the journalist arrived “five years late”, but is a step towards full justice.

“Their guilty plea is five years late, but yesterday's sentencing of two of the contract killers is a step towards full justice for Daphne's assassination,” Corinne Vella wrote on Facebook.

On Friday, Alfred and George Degiorgio were each sentenced to 40 years in prison after admitting to their involvement in the assassination of the journalist five years ago,

“The two hired hitmen were convicted thanks to the effort of a small group of individuals, including members of the homicide squad, the prosecution, and the family's legal team, and thanks to the sustained support of activists and free expression and press freedom NGOs in Malta and elsewhere.

“It doesn't end here. Justice must be served in the other murder proceedings and justice must be served on everyone whose corruption Daphne exposed,” she wrote..

“Daphne's killers should never have been allowed to do what they did in the first place. The systemic failures that enabled her assassination need to be effectively addressed.

“In Daphne's own words, "The fight against corruption and the decimation of the rule of law must continue."

And so it will.”