Man remanded in custody charged with attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell

A 44-year-old man charged with the attempted murder of detective chief inspector John Caldwell has been remanded in custody.

Alan Lundy, with an address at Flax Street, Belfast, was also charged with directing terrorism and the preparation of terrorist acts when he appeared before Dungannon Magistrates Court on Saturday.

The court heard that Mr Lundy was questioned for almost eight hours after being arrested on Thursday.

Mr Caldwell was seriously injured after he was shot several times in front of his son at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone on February 22nd last. The detective, who had investigated a number of high-profile murder cases, spent several weeks in intensive care.

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The court heard the prosecution was not arguing that Mr Lundy was in or around Omagh on the evening of the attack on Mr Caldwell. Police said that “at no point was any explanation or comment made” when the accusations were put to the accused.

The case instead relates to “his actions in the build-up” and “the chain of events” afterwards. It is alleged that he was the “conduit” between east Tyrone, where the shooting took place, and Belfast, where police said vehicles were sourced.

A solicitor for Mr Lundy told the court the prosecution’s evidence “is not sufficient to connect my client” to the charges. “I would submit that police have created a narrative that’s not supported by any evidence that this court can rely on.”

Judge Michael Ranaghan said it was a circumstantial case that could potentially involve a number of strands of evidence, including phone evidence, CCTV, police statements and “over and above that, a complete no-comment interview” with police.

When the accused was asked by the judge whether he would sign the legal aid form, he made no reply.

The solicitor said a bail application would be made at a later date as sureties needed to be prepared. The judge said that any bail application he would consider compliance with conditions set by the court.

-PA