Omagh protest calling for end to paramilitary violence

The event's being held almost four days after DCI John Caldwell was shot multiple times

Forensic teams have been working at the crime scene
Author: Jonny FreemanPublished 25th Feb 2023

A protest rally is to take place in Omagh to condemn the shooting of DCI John Caldwell and to call for end to paramilitary violence.

Mr Caldwell is fighting for his life in hospital after he was shot in the town in Northern Ireland on Wednesday night.

He'd been volunteering at a children's football training session at the time.

The Chairman of Beragh Swifts FC, Ricky Lions, has told us it's been a difficult few days for the club and the local community:

"It's been tough but the community has rallied. There's been a lot of support for John and a lot of support for us.

"There were a lot of people there at the time including other clubs. All those people and all those kids have been affected."

A fifth arrest's been made as part of the investigation into what happened.

A 43 year old was arrested in the Stewartstown area under the Terrorism Act and is currently being questioned by detectives in Musgrave serious crime suite.

Four men aged 22, 38, 45 and 47 also arrested in connection with the attempted murder remain in police custody.

Yesterday Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan confirmed the incident's being treated as terror-related:

"Following the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell on Wednesday February 22 I can confirm that we are now treating it as terrorist-related and our primary line of inquiry is the New IRA," he said.

"Detectives want anyone who was in the area or who witnessed what happened to call 101 quoting reference number 1831 of 22/02/23."

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