Omagh: Chief Constable meeting with NI party leaders

The PSNI's Chief Constable said today (Friday) that DCI John Caldwell was "critically ill and heavily sedated" in hospital after he was shot multiple times in front of his young son in Omagh.

Simon Byrne was updating media as he met political representatives from the five main Stormont parties at PSNI Headquarters in Belfast.

"We do not underestimate, from the point of view of the police service, how important it is that we are joined today in an act of unity from all the political parties across Northern Ireland," Mr Byrne said.

"Clearly we know from what we've done so far and from commentary from across the community, and the political spectrum, the sheer sense of outrage of this pointless and senseless attack on Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell.

"John remains in hospital, where he is critically ill and heavily sedated.

"We have arrested a further man overnight in relation to this investigation. He is now in custody and also being questioned by detectives."

Chief Constable Simon Byrne said the presence of the five main political parties today had "rippled through" the police force.

"Since we spoke yesterday, last night I had the chance to speak with John's wife and his son," he said.

"They're clearly heavily affected by what they've gone through but want to pass on their thanks both to people that rendered first aid and care at the scene, but also in terms of the outpouring of support across the community in relation to this awful outrage.

"Clearly, today we've had a chance to talk to political leaders about the pace and context of this investigation, what it means for policing and what we sense will happen in the next few days.

"We echo our thanks because it has rippled through the organisation about how important it is that we're joined by the political leaders today at this unique time to show that we stand together and call out this outrage for what it is."

DCI Caldwell was shot a number of times at the Youth Sports Centre in Omagh on Wednesday night.

A fourth man was arrested overnight in the attempted murder investigation.

The 22-year-old was arrested in the Coalisland area in the early hours of Friday morning.

Three men aged 38, 45 and 47 also arrested in Co Tyrone remain in custody.

The dissident republican group the New IRA is the "primary focus" of the PSNI's attempted murder probe.

Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill has emphasised the importance of unity in the wake of the attack on senior Detective John Caldwell.

She thanked Chief Constable Simon Byrne for updating the five Stormont parties on the progress of the investigation.

"It is so important in moments like this that we stand united," she said.

"We do stand here united as one voice in our condemnation against this horrific attack on a police officer, someone who is part of our community.

"I think that the most powerful message that we, as political leaders (can do, is) to stand with the chief constable today, to stand with the police service and say, this is not good enough. This is an attack on all of us, this is an attack on our community.

"My thoughts very much remain with the family - this is a family who are going through a trauma, these are a family who are sitting on a hospital bed, this is a son who has witnessed his father being attacked in a callous way. So, my thoughts are very, very much with John's family today."

The attack has been condemned by political leaders across the UK and Ireland.

Mr Caldwell was coaching a youth sports team at the facility on Wednesday evening.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson warned: "I would say to the evil people who carried out this heinous attack and to their organisation - you are not the future of this place. We stand against you.

"The murder of police officers and the attempted killing of those who serve our communities in Northern Ireland is unacceptable.

"My cousin was the first RUC officer to be murdered by the IRA in 1970. Loyalists have also killed police officers. It was never acceptable and it is not acceptable now.

"It will not be tolerated and we stand foursquare with the police to ensure that those who have been responsible for this attack are brought to justice and that they do not dictate how this place moves forward in the future."

Mr Byrne said on Thursday: "Clearly as an organisation we are utterly shocked and angered by last night's brazen and calculated attack.

"John is a father, husband and colleague, and a valued and active member of his local community."

He said Mr Caldwell has been a valued police officer for 26 years "committed to public service as a senior investigating officer supporting victims and their families in bringing offenders to justice".

Mr Byrne added: "John is held in the highest esteem within our organisation. He is a credit to his family and to the police service.

"And of course our thoughts are with John and his family as he fights for his life in hospital today."

He added: "This has sent a huge shockwave across the organisation.

"We've been speaking principally with the Police Federation but also with those representatives of senior officers and police staff who would see themselves under threat.

"Clearly, one of the things that defines us is our resilience and our commitment to keep going in dark times and tough times.

"So John knows that his colleagues will now be working tirelessly around the clock to support his recovery but also to bring the offenders that have tried to kill him to swift justice."

Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said there were "many other young people, children" waiting to be picked up by their parents when the attack on Mr Caldwell took place.

"And those children ran for cover in sheer terror towards the centre," he told reporters.

Mr McEwan said: "The two gunmen, who were dressed in dark clothing, carried out this cowardly attack and left the scene on foot. At least two other vehicles were struck by their volley of shots.

"We believe the gunmen fled the scene in a small, dark-coloured vehicle shortly after 8pm. We believe this vehicle was abandoned and set on fire in Racolpa Road, Omagh.

"We want to hear from anyone who was in the area or who witnessed what happened to get in touch with any information that could help with our investigation."