Police in Northern Ireland are today reviewing an apparent claim of responsibility by the New IRA for the brutal shooting of an off-duty police officer.
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell has been fighting for his life in hospital since he was shot in front of his young son in Co Tyrone last Wednesday.
He was shot multiple times by two gunman while standing next to his son after teaching a youth football team at a sports centre in Omagh.
PSNI say they believe the attack was terror-related with the New IRA as their primary line of inquiry, and are currently interviewing six men, aged 22, 38, 43, 45, 47 and 71.
Last night, a typed message appeared on a wall in Londonderry, purportedly from the New IRA and claiming responsibility for Mr Caldwell’s attempted murder.
Last night, a typed message appeared on a wall in Londonderry, purportedly from the New IRA and claiming responsibility for Mr Caldwell’s attempted murder
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell has been fighting for his life in hospital since he was shot in front of his young son in Co Tyrone last Wednesday
It was signed by ‘T O’Neill’ – a name previously used by the dissident terrorist group.
The note said: ‘The Irish Republican Army claim responsibility for the military operation targeting senior Crown Force member John Caldwell.
‘An active service unit of the IRA were in position to target the enemy within our chosen kill zone with other armed volunteers giving cover.
‘All volunteers returned safely to base.
‘Irish Republican Army intelligence are now in possession of security information regarding the out of bounds movement of Crown Force personnel.
‘We would say this, you still have to try and live a normal life day-to-day, one of these days the IRA will be waiting. T O’Neill.’
In a subsequent tweet DUP MLA Diane Doddsm said: ‘Vile. Utterly vile threats towards those who seek to protect our community in NI. I stand with the PSNI.’
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On Saturday, the local community rallied behind Mr Caldwell and his family, demanding an end to the violence on the streets of Omagh
Today, Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said: ‘Police are aware of the claim of responsibility.
‘We are currently reviewing its contents as part of the overall investigation.
‘On Friday, we confirmed that we were treating the attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell as terrorist-related and our primary line of enquiry was the New IRA.’
On Saturday, the local community rallied behind Mr Caldwell and his family, demanding an end to the violence on the streets of Omagh.
The main street of Omagh was brought to a standstill by the protesters, who chanted and held posters which read: ‘No going back.’
The slogan refers to the history of violence and terror in Northern Ireland. The rally was organised by trade unions.
Police found a small burnt-out car in nearby Racolpa Road, Omagh, shortly after the shooting
Anton McCabe, secretary of Omagh Trade Union Council, said they were mindful a man remains critically ill, and children traumatised by the incident, and wanted to have a rally that was as respectful as possible.
‘We are here today to say no going back – no going back to violence, fear and injustices,’ he told those gathered.
Patricia McKeown of Unison said peace in Northern Ireland was only born when ‘a massacre was perpetrated on the men, women and children of Omagh’.
The protest took place a short distance from where a 1998 dissident republican bomb killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.
‘Twenty-five years later, the attempt has been made again and your spirit and resolve is not broken,’ Ms McKeown said.
A map showing the site of Mr Caldwell’s shooting
