CCTV footage of car used by gunmen who shot Northern Ireland detective released

CCTV footage has been released of the car used by the men who shot an off-duty detective in Northern Ireland

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell has been in hospital since he was shot in front of his young son in Co Tyrone on 22 February.

He was targeted at a sports centre in Omagh, where he coaches a youth football team.

This vehicle is blue Ford Fiesta, registration number MGZ 6242 which was then fitted with false plates, FRZ 8414, prior to the attack.

Detective Chief Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said: “Our CCTV footage shows the car leaving the sports complex and turning left onto the Killyclogher Road immediately after the shooting.

“We then know it travelled past Glendale Service Station to the Racolpa Road where they abandoned the car and set it on fire.”

He added that the car was bought in Ballyclare on 8 February and was seen being driven from Belfast towards Omagh the night before the attack.

It comes after officers announced they were looking into an unverified claim the attack was carried out by the New IRA.

On Sunday night, a typed message on a sheet of paper appeared on a wall in Londonderry/Derry, purportedly from the New IRA and claiming responsibility for Mr Caldwell’s attempted murder.

It was signed by “T O’Neill” – a name previously used by the dissident terrorist group.

It 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.”

Last week, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they believe the attack was terror-related, describing the New IRA as their primary line of inquiry.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said today: “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.”

Read more
New IRA group is collaborating with criminal gangs in Northern Ireland

Police believe two gunmen fired multiple shots in the attack.

Six men, aged 22, 38, 43, 45, 47 and 71, are being questioned in police custody.

On Saturday, people gathered in the village of Beragh and in nearby Omagh to show their solidarity with Mr Caldwell.