The senior police officer shot in Omagh has been named as Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell as the PSNI said the primary focus of the investigation is on dissident republicans.
Mr Caldwell remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital after the attack at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on Wednesday evening.
He was shot a number of times by masked men in front of young people he had been coaching at the Youth Sports Centre. His young son was with him at the time, police said.
Mr Caldwell, who is in his 40s, was a high-profile officer who has led a number of major investigations, including taking a leading role in the murder probe following the killing of Natalie McNally in Lurgan in December.
He is the lead inspector of the investigation into the murder of PSNI officer Ronan Kerr, in Tyrone in 2011. That murder is suspected of having been carried out by dissident republicans from East Tyrone who later joined other groups to form New IRA
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) this morning launched an attempted murder investigation into the shooting of John Caldwell.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan told BBC Radio Ulster the “primary focus” of the investigation was on “violent dissident republicans”.
He said: “The investigation is at an early stage, we are keeping an open mind. There are multiple strands to that investigation.
“The primary focus is on violent dissident republicans and within that there is a primary focus as well on New IRA.”
The shooting, which took place in front of children at a sports complex in Omagh, has been widely condemned as a “grotesque act of attempted murder”.
The attack by masked men happened in the Killyclogher area of Omagh, Co Tyrone, just before 8pm. Mr Caldwell, who had been coaching a children’s football team at the time, was shot multiple times.
He was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital and is in a critical but stable condition, according to Northern Ireland’s chief constable Simon Byrne.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched an attempted murder .”
Gardaí have intensified patrols amid suspicions the gunmen may have fled across the border.
Gardaí confirmed they are involved in the investigation into the shooting.
In a statement, a garda spokesman said: “We are working closely in cooperation with our counterparts in the PSNI. An Garda Siochana has intensified patrolling in border counties.”
Mr Caldwell had worked in a number of joint operations with An Garda Síochána over the course of his career, including the extradition of man from the Republic wanted in the North on suspicion of the attempted murder of an off-duty PSNI officer in 2015.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has condemned the shooting of Mr Caldwell and called on anyone with information to share it with the PSNI.
He said: “I have heard the terrible news from Omagh about the shooting of an off duty PSNI officer tonight.
“Our thoughts are with the injured officer, his family, colleagues and friends at this difficult time.
“I utterly condemn this grotesque act of attempted murder.
“I call on anyone with information about it to share it with the PSNI.”
The Tànaiste has slammed the shooting of PSNI officer John Caldwell as “depraved and shocking”.
Speaking this morning, Michéal Martin said that the shooting in Omagh last night was “a new low” in dissident Republican and criminal activity.
“For the many, many young people who were enjoying the daily routine of sport to witness the attempted murder is, in itself, very traumatic.
“This is an attack on policing generally on this island. The PSNI and An Garda Siochana do everything they can go keep people safe and it is absolutely depraved in this day and age that people can carry out such dastardly acts of criminality.”
Mr Martin said that Gardaí are assisting the PSNI as part of ongoing cooperation between the forces. He said that the investigation is at an early stage.
He added that people in Ireland will be “appalled” by the attack.
Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said he is “shocked and appalled” by the shooting.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues in these difficult first hours. I urge anyone with information to go to the authorities,” he said.
Shocked and appalled by tonight’s shooting of an off-duty PSNI officer in Omagh.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues in these difficult first hours.
I urge anyone with information to go to the authorities.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 22, 2023
Justice Minister Simon Harris called the act “utterly deplorable and completely shocking to people across this island, all the more so as it took place in the presence of young people.”
“My first thoughts this evening are with the officer, his family and police colleagues as well with as the health professionals in Altnagelvin Hospital.
“I’ve been briefed by the Garda Commissioner and An Garda Síochána are of course providing all possible support to their PSNI colleagues. I remain in close contact with them,” he added.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was appalled by the “disgraceful shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh”.
“My thoughts are with the officer and his family,” he said.
“There is no place in our society for those who seek to harm public servants protecting communities.”
SDLP leader Colm Eastwood said: “The brutal attack on a police officer in Omagh this evening is a chilling reminder of the horrifying violence that criminal gangs are willing to visit on the people of Northern Ireland.
“My thoughts and the thoughts of my SDLP colleagues are with the man and with the paramedics, doctors, nurses and police colleagues looking after him at this time.
“In the face of appalling violence that has no place in modern Ireland, their bravery and selfless dedication to service is an enduring reminder that for every individual determined to tear us apart, there are hundreds more committed to defending our peace and all those who live under it.”
Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill tweeted: “Terrible news this evening of an off-duty police officer being shot in Kilyclogher, Omagh. This is an outrageous and shameful attack. My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family. I unreservedly condemn this reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer.”
Terrible news this evening of an off-duty police officer being shot in Kilyclogher, Omagh. This is an outrageous and shameful attack. My immediate thoug
