Cliff Notes
- Two men have been arrested in connection with the alleged attempted murder of PSNI Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, who was shot multiple times in Omagh in February 2023.
- The officer, who sustained life-changing injuries while coaching a youth football team, has since retired on medical grounds.
- Police have linked the attack to dissident republicans, prompting widespread condemnation and protests against paramilitary violence in solidarity with Mr Caldwell.
John Caldwell: Two men arrested over alleged attempted murder of senior police officer in Northern Ireland | UK News
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Two men have been arrested over the alleged attempted murder of an off-duty police officer in Northern Ireland.
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot several times by masked attackers near a leisure centre in Omagh, Co Tyrone, in 2023.
Mr Caldwell, who suffered life-changing injuries in the attack, was with his young son and other children, who were seen running for cover.
The officer had been packing up after coaching a youth football team when he was attacked just before 8pm on 22 February.
He retired from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) last December on medical grounds.
A 45-year-old man in the Stewartstown area and a 25-year-old man in west Belfast were arrested earlier in connection with the alleged offence, the PSNI said on Monday.
They were detained under the Terrorism Act.
“They have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning,” the force said, adding that its officers had searched a property in west Belfast and seized a vehicle.
Several people have already been arrested and charged over the shooting, which police linked to dissident republicans.
The attack drew widespread condemnation, including by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who said he was appalled by the “disgraceful shooting”.
It also led to protests in Co Tyrone against paramilitary violence in solidarity with Mr Caldwell.
