Company owner’smurder ‘planned’

Eight bullets were fired yesterday afternoon as a desolate corner of Ħal Far industrial estate became the scene of a murder which the police believe was planned. Ronald Galea, 65, was shot just outside Continental Meat Company Ltd, the meat production and storage firm he owned, as he was closing shop at around 4.45 pm . He had died by the time an ambulance arrived on the scene. Sources said eight shots were fired at Mr Galea from a 9mm pistol, hitting him in the back and side. He fell a few metres behind his white Ford Mondeo, which was awkwardly parked in the middle of the road. The killer, who was unmasked, escaped in a Toyota Vitz. Investigators were yesterday exploring the possibility that the killing, which they believe was premeditated, was related to business, sources said. Officers from the police’s homicide and CID divisions were summoned and by 5.30pm several high-ranking officers, including two assistant commissioners, two superintendents and two inspectors were at the crime scene. They were joined by forensic experts soon afterwards, with court magistrate Edwina Grima having ordered an investigation into the murder. At one point Mr Galea’s son, Pierre, wearing jeans...