Courts

Three men appear in court in connection with shooting of Det Chief Insp John Caldwell

PSNI officer was seriously injured after being shot a number of times at Omagh sports complex in February

Detective Chief Superintendent John Caldwell. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Wed Jul 5 2023 - 16:58

Three men have been remanded in custody after appearing in court on charges in connection with the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell.

Mr Caldwell was left seriously injured after being shot a number of times at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone in February.

The dissident republican group known as the New IRA claimed responsibility for the shooting, with police investigating if the group may have been assisted by members of a criminal gang.

Dungannon Magistrates’ Court heard the police investigation remains ongoing, with outstanding searches to be carried out, and the guns used in the attack not having yet been found.

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Appearing at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court via videolink on Wednesday, Tony Slevin (47) of Derryloughan Avenue, Coalisland, was charged with preparation of terrorist acts.

John Gallagher (45) of Church Drive, Newtownabbey, and James McSorley (58) of Chichester Mews, Belfast, were also charged with preparation of terrorist acts as well as possession of articles for use in terrorism and providing property for the purpose of terrorism.

The charges centre around the acquisition and movements of a Ford Fiesta car which police contend was part of the attempt to kill the senior detective.

Mr Caldwell spent several weeks in intensive care after the shooting. The senior detective had led a number of high-profile PSNI investigations in Northern Ireland.

Seven people have previously appeared in court charged with attempted murder. - PA

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