Omagh

The last officer to be shot in Northern Ireland was an officer who was in uniform when ambushed at a garage in Belfast in 2017. He survived. Ireland's taoiseach ...

“This is a moment to rededicate ourselves to the primacy of peace and resistance against violence. “Our thoughts are with our colleague & his family. My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family. Two sources told Reuters the officer was shot a “number of times”. “Shot in front of young people at a football coaching session. The DUP leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, condemned the “terrible news”, adding: “We condemn outright the cowards responsible for this. The SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, said he would be speaking to the PSNI chief constable, Simon Byrne. Anyone with info should come forward.” We stand with the PSNI.” No place in society for this.” He was taken to Altnagelvin area hospital, Derry, after being shot in Killyclogher Road in the County Tyrone town. [tweeted](https://twitter.com/StephenFarryMP/status/1628511673391714304): “The shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh is a despicable and cowardly act.

An off-duty PSNI officer has been shot in Omagh - it's understood the officer was shot multiple times at Youth Sport Omagh on the town's Killyclogher Road.

"My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues in these difficult first hours. "Our thoughts are with our colleague & his family. "An Garda Síochana has no further comment at this time." "My thoughts are with him, his family and his colleagues. A statement from the PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne said: "I am shocked and saddened by tonight's events in Omagh. “My thoughts, and those of all police officers, are with our colleague and his family. Anyone with info should come forward." They have nothing to offer our community." The officer is well known and respected in the area and plays an active role in the community. They are bereft of any semblance of humanity. He is also well known within policing circles and is highly regarded by his colleagues. An attempted murder inquiry has since been launched.

In the early hours of the morning, police confirmed that an attempter murder investigation was launched after the incident on Wednesday night, February 22 in ...

UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA said: “The attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell is a reminder of the evil that still lurks in the shadows in our society. Today our thoughts remain with John and his family as he continues to fight for his life. These are regressive elements of our society who still have not got the message that they and their murderous, hate-filled agenda have been rejected. I pray for him, his family and the clinicians caring for him. John is a highly respected senior investigating officer who dedicates himself to service both in supporting victims and families in bringing others to justice. Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan added: “The investigation is at an early stage and I would appeal to anyone with information to bring it to police. Sport would not exist without volunteers, and we value the diversity and contribution of every person who gives their time to enrich lives through sport. “I would like to pay tribute to a brave member of the public who administered first aid. He remains in a critical but stable condition this morning and has undergone surgery for his wounds. “Last night at approximately 8pm at the youth sports centre in Killyclogher Road, Omagh, when John was putting footballs into the boot of the car, accompanied by his young son, two gunmen approached and we believe both have fired multiple shots. John’s own young son was with him at the time and witnessed the shooting. “That shows the absolute callous nature of this attack, and it is utterly disgusting that the gunmen carried out this attempted murder in front of crowds of adults and children.

Mr Caldwell is a high-profile detective who recently took a leading role in a murder investigation.

[Rishi Sunak](/topic/rishi-sunak) said he was appalled by the “disgraceful shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh”. There are multiple strands to that investigation. [Omagh](/topic/omagh) has been named as Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell as police said the primary focus of the investigation is on dissident republicans.

It is believed that the police officer, who was off-duty at the time of the shooting, was coaching a youth football team when he was hit.

“There will be plenty to say in the days and weeks ahead about why anyone thinks they have any authority – moral, political or otherwise – to do something as cowardly as shoot a police officer. Former Stormont justice minister, Naomi Long, said her thoughts were with the officer, his family, colleagues and all those affected by the shooting. We stand with the PSNI.” “We condemn outright the cowards responsible for this. “I utterly condemn this grotesque act of attempted murder. “My thoughts, and those of all police officers, are with our colleague and his family. He is also well known within policing circles and is highly regarded by his colleagues. The injured officer was shot a number of times whilst he coached young persons playing football,” he said. Mr Caldwell had been coaching a youth sports team at the facility on Wednesday evening. Temporary detective chief superintendent Eamonn Corrigan said: “He has been taken to hospital and is in a critical but stable condition. Advertisement “This was a callous, cold-blooded and barbaric attempted murder on an off-duty officer.

An attempted murder investigation has been launched after an off-duty police officer was shot at a sports complex in Omagh, County Tyrone, on Wednesday. Det Ch ...

"Whatever the motive, if it were dissident republicanism… She added: "I know people who serve in the police. "I would also like to thank our partners in the ambulance service. The president of the Methodist Church in Ireland called it "an appalling act of evil". It was "bereft of any sort of common decency and humanity," he told The Nolan Show. The Police Federation for Northern Ireland condemned what it called an "appalling and barbaric act of violence on an off-duty officer". Chairman Liam Kelly said the shooting was a "stark reminder" policing was a dangerous job in Northern Ireland. Ulster Unionist assembly member for the area Tom Elliott said it was a difficult time for the entire community, and offered his support to the officer and his family. He said the children had been "numb" on Wednesday night and it was very hard for them to comprehend what had happened. Principal Christos Gaitatzis said that he was "sickened to the stomach" by the news. He paid tribute to "a brave member of the public who ran towards John during the attack and administered first aid". ACC McEwan described his injured colleague as a "respected figure" - both in his role as as a senior investigating officer, where he supports victims' families and works to bring perpetrators to justice, "and as an active member of the community".

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was injured by the masked men at the sports centre in Omagh as he attempted to flee, with his attackers shooting him ...

Then the ambulance came in about five minutes. And then somebody shouted that ‘he had a gun’. “We are supporting our officers and staff. The New IRA said one of its gunmen hit her by accident while targeting police. "But this is a really significant event. “John has ran a short distance and he’s fallen to the ground, and as he’s on the ground the gunmen have continued to Northern Ireland's chief constable Simon Byrne says he is in a 'critical but stable' condition. The attack on senior police officer John Caldwell at a sports centre in Omagh on Wednesday night happened in front of his young son, police have said. The two officers inside escaped injury. Police have paid tribute to a “brave” member of the public who ran towards Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell during the attack and administered first aid. Police have acknowledged the “shock” and “trauma” the shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell has caused the community of Omagh. The officer targeted in the shooting in Omagh on Wednesday night has been at the head of a series of high-profile Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigations.

1. Press Eye -Northern Ireland - 22 Feb 2023 Omagh: Off-duty police officer shot. The shooting took place at Youth Sport on the Killyclogher Road An ...

Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker 23/02/2023 An attempted murder investigation has been launched after an off-duty police officer was shot at a sports complex in Omagh, County Tyrone, on Wednesday. Children, parents and coaches were at the scene at the time of the shooting. Pacemaker Press 22/02/23 Police at the Scene at Youth Sport Omagh on Thursday Morning.

DCI John Caldwell, a high-profile officer, in critical condition in hospital after shooting on Wednesday night.

“We really need to get together as a community in order to make sure that these types of instances, that contain violence in the most heinous way I can describe, have to be pushed away from our community.” “There is absolutely no tolerance for such attacks by the enemies of our peace. Police believe the attackers fled in a small, dark car found burned and abandoned on Racolpa Road, outside Omagh. “We speak for the overwhelming majority of people right across our community who are outraged and sickened by this reprehensible and callous attempted murder,” it said. That shows the absolute callous nature of this attack in a crowded space where there are children and parents in the vicinity, and we saw many of those young people and children running in sheer terror to get to safety.” “We are keeping an open mind.,” the assistant chief constable, Mark McEwan, said.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot "multiple times" by two gunmen, police say.

A "brave" member of the public was praised by police for rushing in and providing first aid after the attack. The trauma inflicted on this young boy is just horrific and he will never forget seeing his dad shot multiple times. There are multiple strands to that investigation. A statement from Chief Constable Simon Byrne said he was "shocked and saddened" by the incident and vowed the force would "relentlessly pursue those responsible". ACC McEwan said the "primary focus" on the investigation was on "violent dissident republicans". The senior police officer was shot in front of his son at a sports complex in Omagh, Northern Ireland.

Detective Caldwell was shot several times in front of young people he had been coaching last night.

The off-duty officer was targeted at Youth Sport Omagh at Killyclogher, near Omagh. The "primary focus" of the police investigation is on violent dissident republicans, Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan told the BBC. He said the off-duty detective was putting footballs in the back of his car and was with his son, when he was shot multiple times by two gunmen. [Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell shot by two gunmen in front of his son](https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/02/23/news/police_name_police_officer_shot_in_co_tyrone-3083016/) [New IRA ‘primary focus’ in probe over shooting of senior off-duty police officer](https://www.irishnews.com/news/republicofirelandnews/2023/02/23/news/off-duty_police_officer_shot_in_omagh_named_as_john_caldwell-3083023/) [A timeline of dissident republican activity](https://www.irishnews.com/news/republicofirelandnews/2023/02/23/news/a_timeline_of_dissident_republican_activity-3083015/) [was shot several times ](https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/02/23/news/police_name_police_officer_shot_in_co_tyrone-3083016/)in front of young people he had been coaching last night. The vehicle was left at the side of the Racolpa Road.

Det Ch Insp John Caldwell, who was shot in Omagh in County Tyrone, is one of the best-known detectives in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). He has been the senior detective in a number of high-profile investigations, including the murder ...

"He is a credit to his family and to the police service." In 2021, on the 10th anniversary of his murder in a booby-trap car bomb in County Tyrone, Det Ch Insp Caldwell was also involved in investigating the murder of Mark Lovell, 58, who was shot a number of times at close range in his car in Newry in County Down on 1 December. In January he spoke to reporters after the killing of Shane Whitla, a 39-year-old father of four who was shot a number of times in the town of Lurgan in County Armagh. He was putting balls in the back of his car and was accompanied by his son. He was aware his investigations relating to dissident republican attacks - such as the Ronan Kerr murder and the killing of Lyra McKee in 2019 - made him a high-profile target.

Ulster Unionist Party MLA Tom Elliott has indicated the police officer attacked in Omagh was shot in front of young people at a football coaching session.

The shooting of an off duty police officer in Omagh is a despicable and cowardly act. My immediate thoughts are with the PSNI officer and his family. A senior police officer was shot at a sports centre in Omagh, Co Tyrone, close to the Irish border. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues in these difficult first hours. "There will be plenty to say in the days and weeks ahead about why anyone thinks they have any authority - moral, political or otherwise - to do something as cowardly as shoot a police officer. I am greatly shocked at news emerging tonight of a police officer being shot in Killyclogher, Omagh area. I appeal to anyone with any knowledge about this crime to give the information to the police." "My thoughts are with him, his family and his colleagues. He has been taken to hospital and is in a critical but stable condition. "My thoughts, and those of all police officers, are with our colleague and his family. Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: "I am shocked and saddened by tonight's events in Omagh. The injured officer was shot a number of times whilst he coached young persons playing football.

An attempted murder investigation has been launched after an off-duty police officer was shot at a sports complex in Omagh, County Tyrone, on Wednesday.

"Whatever the motive, if it were dissident republicanism… She added: "I know people who serve in the police. "I would also like to thank our partners in the Ambulance Service. The president of the Methodist Church in Ireland called it "an appalling act of evil". It was "bereft of any sort of common decency and humanity," he told The Nolan Show. The Police Federation for Northern Ireland condemned what it called an "appalling and barbaric act of violence on an off-duty officer". Chairman Liam Kelly said the shooting was a "stark reminder" policing was a dangerous job in Northern Ireland. Ulster Unionist assembly member for the area Tom Elliott said it was a difficult time for the entire community, and offered his support to the officer and his family. He said the children had been "numb" on Wednesday night and it was very hard for them to comprehend what had happened. Principal Christos Gaitatzis said that he was "sickened to the stomach" by the news. He paid tribute to "a brave member of the public who ran towards John during the attack and administered first aid". ACC McEwan described his injured colleague as a "respected figure" - both in his role as as a senior investigating officer, where he supports victims' families and works to bring perpetrators to justice "and as an active member of the community".

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell is in a critical but stable condition after being shot in front of his son as the PSNI said the New IRA are suspected of ...

In 1998, 29 people died when splinter group the Real IRA, which opposed the Good Friday Agreement, set off a car bomb in the town centre. I urge anyone with information to go to the authorities,” he said. “Our thoughts are with our colleague & his family. I unreservedly condemn this reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer.” [The Democratic Unionist Party](https://inews.co.uk/topic/dup?ico=in-line_link) leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, said: “Our heart goes out to the family of this courageous police officer and to his colleagues. Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, described Mr Caldwell’s injuries as “life-changing,” according to the BBC. Ulster Unionist Party MLA Tom Elliott said: “Shot in front of young people at football coaching session. No place in society for this.” [Sinn Féin ](https://inews.co.uk/topic/sinn-fein?ico=in-line_link)vice president Michelle O’Neill said: “This is an outrageous and shameful attack. Anyone with info should come forward.” He is also well known within policing circles and is highly regarded by his colleagues. There are multiple strands to that investigation. Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, condemned the “barbaric and cold-blooded” attack, saying: “The officer is well known and respected in the area and plays an active role in the community.

DCI Caldwell was off duty when he was shot by masked men last night (February 22). He was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable but critical condition.

I appeal to anyone with any knowledge about this crime to give the information to the police.” “There is no justification for this kind of violence in our society. The attack was callous and evil and will be condemned by all right-thinking people. Likewise, if you have captured dash-cam or mobile footage, please contact officers on 101 quoting reference number 1831 of 22/02/23. Assistant chief constable Mark McEwan added: “The investigation is at an early stage and I would appeal to anyone with information to bring it to police. I know this is not what they want to see happening in their town.” “I would like to pay tribute to a brave member of the public who administered first aid. He remains in a critical but stable condition this morning and has undergone surgery for his wounds. John’s own young son was with him at the time and witnessed the shooting. “Last night at approximately 8pm at the youth sports centre in Killyclogher Road, Omagh, when John was putting footballs into the boot of the car, accompanied by his young son, two gunmen approached and we believe both have fired multiple shots. Advertisement Three men have been arrested in connection with the shooting of an off duty police officer in Omagh, Northern Ireland.

Police said John Caldwell was fighting for his life after he was shot in a "brazen" attack in County Tyrone.

both in terms of the investigation, but also ongoing operations that are being conducted". “There will be a lot of distress. How many people could have been caught accidentally by a loose round? John Kelly, a reserve police officer, was seriously injured but survived the attack. Somebody could have been killed. “This has been a shocking attack. "West Tyrone is no stranger to incidents like this. About 15 children were at the Youth Sports complex at the time of the shooting, according to a local principal, who police said ran from the scene in "sheer terror" A man who was at the sports complex in Omagh when John Caldwell was shot has spoken of the scenes of panic in the aftermath of the attack. The chairman of Beragh Swifts, an Omagh football club where John Caldwell is a coach, says it's "hard to put into words" what the children at the scene of the shooting witnessed last night. “I am certain that the leader would wish to join with me in expressing the hope that the officer will recover and also in terms of expressing solidarity with the brave officers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the wider police family as they uphold the rule of law and protect the wider community in Northern Ireland in the face of the ongoing terrorist attack." He continued to carry out his activities in Omagh as a football coach and whether that was a pattern that aided the targeting of him is of course a matter for the investigation and the fullness of time.

Police investigating the shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh have arrested three men, aged 38, 45 and 47, on suspicion of attempted ...

He expressed support for the PSNI, saying it was an “attack on policing in general on this island”. “For them to witness such a horrific act is in itself very traumatic, and also that the attempted murder happened in front of his son represents a new low in such criminal activity”. He said it was especially damaging for children to have witnessed the attack, and that it occurring in front of DCI Caldwell’s son was a “new low”. She said she did not know if there was dissident republican involvement but called on anyone with information to bring it to the authorities. “My thoughts are with the officer and his family,” he said. “Our thoughts are with John and his family and we wish him a full recovery,” they said. “There is absolutely no tolerance for such attacks by the enemies of our peace. “We believe this vehicle was abandoned and set on fire in Racolpa Road, Omagh.” The “trauma” inflicted on DCI Caldwell’s young son, he said, “is just horrific and he will never forget seeing his dad shot multiple times. British prime minister Rishi Sunak said he was appalled by the “disgraceful shooting” of an off-duty police officer in Omagh. He was hit a number of times in the torso. “John is a highly respected senior investigating officer who dedicates himself to service both in supporting victims and families in bringing others to justice.

People in Omagh express shock and disgust at the shooting of senior police officer John Caldwell.

He added: "I didn't know John Caldwell but I know who he is, clearly he's a competent police officer and to give up his time to coach young people, shows the calibre of the man. "It's just awful to think it's happening again and for young people to have to experience this as well." "When I heard it on the news I was in complete shock, it's very hard to take in." She added: "I have young boys who play soccer and Gaelic football in the area and I was actually picking my son up at the same time this happened at another club in Fermanagh. "It's shocking, it's not what Omagh needs and it brings back hard memories for all the people of this town." Just a few miles down the road in Omagh town centre, the tone of people in the streets was sombre.

People in Omagh express shock and disgust at the shooting of senior police officer John Caldwell.

He added: "I didn't know John Caldwell but I know who he is, clearly he's a competent police officer and to give up his time to coach young people, shows the calibre of the man. "It's just awful to think it's happening again and for young people to have to experience this as well." "When I heard it on the news I was in complete shock, it's very hard to take in." She added: "I have young boys who play soccer and Gaelic football in the area and I was actually picking my son up at the same time this happened at another club in Fermanagh. "It's shocking, it's not what Omagh needs and it brings back hard memories for all the people of this town." Just a few miles down the road in Omagh town centre, the tone of people in the streets was sombre.

BBC News Ireland correspondent Chris Page says emerging details paint a horrifying picture.

The last police officer who was murdered in Northern Ireland was Constable Ronan Kerr and he was killed by a booby trap bomb underneath his car and that happened here in Omagh in 2011. The focus of the police investigation is the dissident republican group known as the New IRA, thought to be the largest and the most active of the armed groups that oppose the peace process in Northern Ireland. Their activities have been sporadic and often undermined by the security services, but groups like the New IRA continue to target members of the police service.

A school principal in Omagh has described the moment young people witnessed the moment DCI John Caldwell was shot. The off-duty senior PSNI officer was shot ...

"It was an absolutely disgusting, inhumane and heinous attack. Having took up the role of principal at the school three years ago, he added that he was in disbelief at what had happened. "Absolutely shocking, it was an attack not only on a brilliant guy who was helping the kids in a coaching session, it was an attack on youngsters who attend the school. [PSNI](https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/all-about/psni) officer was shot as he packed footballs into the back of his car with his son at [Omagh](https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/all-about/omagh) Youthsport, with two Omagh High School pupils next to John and his son as two masked gunmen shot him multiple times. "They were right beside him, two of our pupils were next to the son of John and were helping him to get the sports equipment out of his car. "It was very difficult because the children were just next to the person that was shot," Christos said.

And while they believe dissident republicans are behind the attack, they feel this was much more than the attempted murder of a random police officer, this was ...

They were therefore able to keep back not only the never used weapons in the deep hides, but a considerable number of previously used weapons without any recrimination. The apparent use of shotguns in the attack on Caldwell is not that unusual. “But in the meantime the IRA leadership had a problem. “And McKevitt was not going to hand over everything to people he believed had betrayed the Republican cause. In the late 1990s, Mickey McKevitt the then Quartermaster General of the IRA was expelled after leading a failed coup against the leadership of the IRA at a Provo General Army Convention held, as they all were, in the Republic. “There are rumours John was wearing body armour at the time of the attack but we do not believe that to be true. “As a result our officers are encouraged to be more open about their job, we have more senior officers openly giving interviews, being photographed and on TV, John being an example of just that. He would have been surveilled at the club carpark before his attackers were told where and when to strike.” “Depending on the type of shotgun, semi-automatic, single or double barrelled, there may be cartridges left at the scene from a single barrel that could deliver trace DNA. It is not the typical pattern for a sniper execution attempt or, to be blunt, John would be dead. Thankfully they didn’t and we hope John will be able to make a full recovery. These are not two-bit criminals, these people are brutal would-be killers, men and women without conscience, people who don’t consider the consequences of their actions are relevant.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the 1998 Omagh bombing, said he knows DCI Caldwell personally and described the attack on him as ...

Local residents expressed their disgust at the attempted murder on the streets of Omagh on Thursday. A whole new generation of young ones are going to be scarred by this.” “Overall there is just a real sense of shock and disbelief that this has happened in the town. “We’ve heard the phrase a few times since last night that we thought those days were over, and it just adds to the real shock in the town that once again something like this has happened here.” [DCI John Caldwell: The senior officer who led several high-profile murder probes](https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/who-john-caldwell-senior-officer-26309729) [PSNI chief hails member of public who helped injured John Caldwell](https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/omagh-shooting-psni-chief-praises-26309012) [NI political leaders issue joint statement after police officer murder bid](https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/omagh-gun-attack-northern-ireland-26309278) [Chief Constable issues latest update on officer shot in Omagh](https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/omagh-shooting-psni-statement-officer-26307956) “The Omagh bomb was the last horrific atrocity of the Troubles and since the Good Friday Agreement obviously people would have felt that things had changed. Nigel McDonagh, the longstanding editor of Omagh newspaper the Ulster Herald, said there was a sense of shock and disbelief in the town 25 years after its darkest day. “Youthsport Omagh is a very popular sports facility in the community and those weekdays are always busy. “For this to take place in this day and age in Omagh, twenty five years after the ceasefire is disgusting,” he said. [Omagh](https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/all-about/omagh) and Coalisland in connection with the attempted murder of the senior officer. With dozens of young children in the vicinity of where the shooting took place at Omagh Youthsport on Wednesday, Omagh resident and local businessman Barry Brown said a new generation of young people will be scarred by what has happened. There was a feeling of shock and disgust in Omagh on Thursday morning after senior

The chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has condemned the shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh last night (Wednesday, Feburary…

He said: "I am greatly shocked at the news of a police officer being shot in the Killyclogher, Omagh area "My thoughts in the immediate aftermath of this shooting are with the victim of this incident and his family." Among those condemning the attack was the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

Det Chief Insp John Caldwell was putting footballs into his car boot after taking a training session for an under-15 team in Omagh, Northern Ireland ...

There is despair and disappointment that we are back to the past, something our children have not known. People in the town fear a return to those days of bloodshed. To shoot a man in front of his child – it is truly shocking. Omagh, in Co Tyrone, was the scene of a Real IRA attack in 1998, which killed 29 people. Mary, 40, said: “There is definitely an eerie feeling around the town. The New IRA, a dissident republican group, are the “primary focus” of the PSNI’s investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell is fighting for his life in hospital after he was shot multiple times at a sports ground in the Co Tyrone town on ...

Everybody knew him." John would've been well known in Omagh and about our area. Chief Constable Simon Byrne said it was a "deeply troubling day for the PSNI" and his and the thoughts of all the "police family are with their colleague".