New IRA claim responsibility for attempted murder of Police Officer
The dissident Republican group have been the focus of police inquires
The New IRA have admitted responsibility for the shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in a statement which has appeared in Londonderry tonight.
It is believed to have been attached to a wall in the Creggan estate.
The typed letter has been signed ‘T O’Neill’, the name often used by the dissident republican group in the past.
It reads: “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 will still have to try and live a normal family life day to day. One of those days, the IRA will be waiting”
The PSNI previously said they were treating Wednesday night's shooting of one of their senior officers as terrorist-related.
Six mean have been arrested under the Terrorism Act, and are being held in custody.
DCI Caldwell remains in a critical condition in hospital.