Karen Grech remembered

A memorial service was held at the San Gwann Madonna ta' Lourdes Parochial Church last night in rememberance of Karen Grech who was accidentally killed at the age of 15 in 1977.

In attendance were Karen’s father, Professor Edwin Grech and Opposition leader Joseph Muscat who addressed all those in attendance after placing flowers on the sculpture of Karen Grech in Karin Grech Garden opposite the church.

The parcel bomb adressed to Prof Grech, was received while doctors in Malta were on strike. Prof Grech had returned to Malta from the United Kingdom to work at the St Luke’s hospital during the strike. 

Unfortunately, Karen was the first to receive the parcel. She was killed in the blast which also injured her brother Kevin. 

The perpetrator had never been caught and to this day, Prof Grech holds on to the hope that one day, the case will be solved and justice will be served. 

After the memorial service, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said that there was a thirst for justice in Malta as well as the need for serenity in forgiveness.

“We have to commit ourselves to make sure that those bad times do not happen again. These were failures which will forever stain our country’s history,” Muscat said.

Muscat also paid tribute to Raymond Caruana who was murdered during a drive-by shooting in December 1986.

“Raymond Caruana’s death was tragic, cruel and criminal. Karen Grech’s death was also tragic, cruel and criminal. I look to the future when these activities are no longer organised by political parties, but are activities organised by the State which need to remind us of these tragic events which took place,” Muscat said.

Muscat said that the memorial service was not a political even but rather an event during which the Maltese could show solidarity with the Grech family.