DCI John Caldwell: Family's week of 'sheer torment' since murder attempt

By The Newsroom
Published 1st Mar 2023, 21:04 BST
Updated 1st Mar 2023, 21:32 BST
A PSNI officer questions a driver on Wednesday night at the scene in Omagh where DCI John Caldwell was shot last week  Pic: PressEyeA PSNI officer questions a driver on Wednesday night at the scene in Omagh where DCI John Caldwell was shot last week  Pic: PressEye
A PSNI officer questions a driver on Wednesday night at the scene in Omagh where DCI John Caldwell was shot last week  Pic: PressEye
PSNI detectives have revisited the scene of the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell one week on.

​Mr Caldwell was shot several times last Wednesday night at a sports centre in Omagh’s Killyclogher Road.

He remains in a critical but stable condition and a senior detective said the past week had been “sheer torment” for his family.

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Police have said they believe the dissident republican New IRA carried out the shooting in Co Tyrone.

On Wednesday night officers visited the scene and spoke to drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

Detective Chief Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan said: “Today, March 1, is one week on since this horrific attack took place.

“It was last Wednesday night, around 8pm, that John was shot by two gunmen as he packed up after coaching a youth football team.

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“John was shot multiple times and, when he fell to the ground, the gunmen continued to fire at him.

“This cowardly attempt to take a life took place in the midst of terrified children and parents and, disturbingly, in front of John’s young son.

“Any number of adults or children could easily have been seriously injured or killed.

“We will work relentlessly to bring those responsible to justice and tonight our officers have revisited the scene.

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“We’ve been handing out appeal leaflets. We’ve been speaking with pedestrians, drivers and passengers, and have carried out extensive house-to-house inquiries.

“A 33-year-old man was arrested in Omagh and a 57-year-old man was arrested in Belfast earlier today.

“Both were arrested under the Terrorism Act and taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning.

“John remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

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“The past week has been sheer torment for John’s loving family, and indeed his extensive circle of friends and colleagues.

“I am asking you to stop and imagine, for just one second, how you would feel if this happened to your loved one.

“And I’m asking you to search your conscience and come forward with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem.”

Earlier this week, officers released CCTV footage of the car used by the gunmen, a blue Ford Fiesta, registration number MGZ 6242.

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It was fitted with false plates, FRZ 8414, before the attack.

The footage shows the car leaving the sports complex after the shooting.

It turns left on to Killyclogher Road and it was later found abandoned and burnt-out on Racolpa Road.

Mr Corrigan said he wanted to jog memories, and appealed to members of the public to look at the footage.

He also highlighted a reward of up to £20,000 from Crimestoppers for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Mr Caldwell’s attempted murder.

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