Chilling ‘IRA’ statement claiming responsibility for shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell appears in Londonderry
- Police have been given more time to question a suspect, a 43-year-old man.
- Six men aged 22, 38, 43, 45, 47 and 71 have been arrested in recent days.
- Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot in Omagh on Wednesday
A chilling statement claiming responsibility for the shooting of Chief Inspector John Caldwell has been pinned to a nearby wall.
The message, purportedly left by the IRA, appeared in Londonderry on Sunday night and was signed by ‘T O’Neill’, a firm said to be linked to the splinter group.
DCI John Caldwell was shot in front of his young son in Co Tyrone, Omagh on Wednesday while off duty and remains in critical condition. He was attacked at a sports center where he coaches a youth soccer team.
The statement comes after police earlier said the New IRA group is their main line of investigation. belfast live reports.
It says: ‘An IRA active duty unit was in position to target the enemy within our chosen kill zone with other volunteers providing cover. All the volunteers returned to the base safely.
Detectives now have more time to question a suspect, the 43-year-old man, who was arrested Friday.
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot in front of his young son in Co Tyrone, Omagh on Wednesday while off duty. He is still seriously ill
‘Irish Republican Army intelligence is now in possession of security information about the off-limits movement of Crown forces personnel.
“We would say this, you will still have to try to live a normal family life from day to day, one of those days the IRA will be waiting for you.”
In a subsequent tweet, DUP MLA Diane Doddsm said: ‘Vile. Absolutely vile threats towards those who seek to protect our NI community. I’m with the PSNI.
It comes as the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) believes the two gunmen involved fired multiple shots and that the attack was related to terrorism, describing the New IRA as their main line of inquiry.
Meanwhile, detectives have been given more time to question a suspect while they investigate the shooting.
A map showing the scene of the shooting of Mr. Caldwell
Six men aged 22, 38, 43, 45, 47 and 71 years have been arrested in recent days in the investigation for attempted murder.
Detectives now have more time to question a suspect, the 43-year-old man, who was arrested Friday.
“A Belfast court has granted an extension of the suspect’s detention until 10pm on Tuesday 28 February,” a PSNI spokesman said.
The six men arrested remain in custody in the Serious Crimes Room of Musgrave Police Station.
Police have asked for the public’s help in the investigation and have asked witnesses or those with information to contact 101 or online at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ .
Information can be provided to the police via the Public Major Incident Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI23S03-PO1, including photos, CCTV and dashcam footage.
