Crime & Law

Omagh shooting: More time granted for questioning of suspect in attempted murder of PSNI officer

Det Chief Insp John Caldwell remains critically ill in hospital at sports complex where he had been coaching youth team

Forensic officer at the scene where off-duty PSNI Detective Chief Insp John Caldwell was shot. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA

Sun Feb 26 2023 - 18:09

Police have been given further time to question a suspect in the attempted murder of an off-duty police officer in Omagh, Co Tyrone.

It comes after a sixth man was arrested in connection with the shooting.

In a statement, the PSNI said the 71-year-old man was arrested on Saturday evening in the Killyclogher Road area of Omagh under the Terrorism Act and taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite to be questioned about the shooting of Det Chief Insp John Caldwell.

Five men aged 22, 38, 43, 45 and 47 years old remain in police custody in connection with the shooting.

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Police on Sunday evening were granted more time to question the 43-year-old suspect.

[ Omagh shooting: why do dissident republicans persist despite little support and no clear strategy? ]

“A court in Belfast has granted an extension to the detention of the suspect until 10pm on Tuesday, February 28,” a PSNI spokesperson said.

“All six arrested men remain in custody in the Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave Police Station.”

A rally with posters referring to the Troubles in Northern Ireland is held in Omagh, Co Tyrone, in support of PSNI Det Chief Insp John Caldwell, who was shot by suspected dissident republicans on Wednesday while attending a football coaching session with his son. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty

Mr Caldwell remains critically ill in hospital and it is understood he has suffered life-changing injuries.

He was shot in front of his young son at a sports complex where he had been coaching a youth team on Wednesday evening in an attack suspected to be linked to dissident republican group the New IRA. Police believe two gunmen involved fired multiple shots.

[ Omagh shooting: ‘Everyone ran to help without thinking of the danger’ ]

Mr Caldwell ran a short distance and fell to the ground while the attackers continued to fire at him as children ran to safety, police said. He was operated on immediately after the attack and underwent further surgery on Thursday afternoon.

There were gatherings in Beragh and Omagh on Saturday in solidarity with Mr Caldwell and his family.

Police have asked for the public’s help in the investigation, and have appealed to witnesses or those with information to get in touch by calling 101 or online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

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