12 August 2024 , 21:03
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It has been claimed that he ran social media accounts to target his former partner, at one point making accusations about her sex life
A Dublin man shot dead by police in Malta after he allegedly murdered his ex-partner used social media to harass her, it has been claimed.
Edward William Johnston, from Dublin used multiple social media profiles to harass his victim, Nicolette Ghirxi, it has emerged.
Her family members spoke to Times of Malta as more details emerged about the Irish man who police shot dead on Monday morning after he is suspected of stabbing his ex partner Nicolette Ghirxi in her Birkirkara home.
It has been claimed that he ran social media accounts to target his former partner, at one point making accusations about her sex life. It’s understood she and Johnston ended their relationship in December.
Ghirxi was found dead on Monday at 2am in her apartment on Mro Giuseppe Busuttil Street in Swatar, the same address mentioned in the post.
She had been stabbed by a knife which was found near her body and she had suffered upper body knife injuries. Police commissioner Angela Gafa told a news conference that the suspect had told police he had murdered a woman.
Nicolette Ghrixi
The commissioner said there were three hours of negotiations with the suspect in St Julian’s. Johnston went into the sea and then came on to the rocks.
He pointed a pistol at his head and then turned it at the police and as he appeared to be attempting to assault a constable, police fired shots at him because this was deemed to be a life threatening situation, Gafa said.
Johnston died shortly afterwards in a local hospital, according to Malta police. Police have said autopsies are to be carried out on both Mr Johnston and Ms Ghirxi to establish the official cause of death.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, who is Maltese, paid tribute to Ms Ghirxi in a post on her Facebook page.
The Irish Embassy in Malta has confirmed that it is aware of the incident and they are available to offer consular assistance to the family.