High profile detective shot by masked men in Northern Ireland named
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, who was shot by masked men in Northern Ireland while off-duty, has been identified by the police.
The attack occurred in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on Wednesday evening, in front of a group of young people he had been coaching at a sports centre.
Mr Caldwell, a prominent officer who has led several high-profile investigations, including the Natalie McNally murder case, remains in critical but stable condition in hospital.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched an attempted murder investigation, with the New IRA being the “primary focus” of the probe, according to Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan.
‘Violent dissident Republicans and New IRA’ are the focus
McEwan told BBC Radio Ulster: “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.”
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan has confirmed that the country’s terror threat level remains “substantial” and that violent dissident republicans are of concern.
The Garda Siochana has intensified patrolling in border counties as Irish police work closely with the PSNI. The Police Federation for Northern Ireland has condemned the attack as “barbaric and cold-blooded”.
Politicians react – ‘grotesque’ & ‘disgraceful’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was appalled by the “disgraceful shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh”.
Irish premier Leo Varadkar condemned the “grotesque act of attempted murder”.
“Our thoughts are with the injured officer, his family, colleagues and friends at this difficult time,” the Taoiseach said.
“I utterly condemn this grotesque act of attempted murder.”
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill said it was an “outrageous and shameful attack”.
“My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family,” she said.
“I unreservedly condemn this reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer.”
What is the new IRA?
The New IRA is a dissident Irish republican group that aims to bring about a united Ireland by force. It was formed in 2012 from a merger of several smaller groups, including the Real IRA and Republican Action Against Drugs.
The group rejects the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland, and seeks to continue armed struggle against British rule.
The New IRA has been responsible for a number of attacks and bombings in recent years, including the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in 2019.
The group is designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK and US governments.
