Three men arrested after detective shot in Northern Ireland – as police say New IRA is ‘primary focus’ of investigation
Three men have been arrested for attempted murder of an off-duty officer shot in Northern Ireland.
The officer, named as Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, was shot multiple times in front of young people he had been coaching at a sports centre just before 8pm on Wednesday, in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Police say the dissident republican group, the New IRA, is the “primary focus” of the force’s investigation.
The attack happened while DCI Caldwell was loading footballs into the boot of his car when the two men opened fire, according to Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan of Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell has been named as the off-duty police officer injured in a shooting in Omagh
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, ACC McEwan said the officer ran a short distance after the first shots were fired and that his attackers continued to fire as he fell to the floor.
“There were many other young people, children, awaiting pick-up by their parents. Those children ran for cover in sheer terror towards the centre,” ACC McEwan added.
He said DCI Caldwell’s young son was also present, adding: “The trauma inflicted on this young boy is just horrific and he will never forget seeing his dad shot multiple times.
“The gunmen fired from close range in the busy sports training area, which could also quite easily have killed or seriously injured children who were present at the time of the shooting.”
DCI Caldwell remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital, where he underwent surgery overnight.
He is a high-profile officer who has led a number of major investigations, including taking a leading role in the murder probe following the killing of Natalie McNally in Lurgan in December.
‘A valued and active member of his community’
Speaking about the shooting, Chief Constable of PSNI, Simon Byre, said: “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”.
He also confirmed that three men, aged 38, 45 and 47, had been arrested on Thursday morning in connection with the police’s attempted murder investigation.
Asked if there is a concern for wider security and safety, and whether action would be taken to improve security for some police officers, ACC McEwan told BBC Radio Ulster: “On an ongoing basis, we see these elements continually trying to carry out attacks of this nature.
“We are supporting our officers and staff. We continually review our security arrangements and advise our officers on security arrangements and that’s on an ongoing basis.”
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He said the country’s terror threat level at the moment remained “substantial”, meaning that an attack is “highly likely”.
ACC McEwan also paid tribute to a “brave” member of the public who ran towards DCI Caldwell during the attack and administered first aid.
“I would also like to thank our partners in the ambulance service. If it hadn’t been for their quick action in getting John to hospital we might have been looking at something very different this morning,” he added.
‘A cowardly and callous attack’
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The Northern Ireland secretary responds to the shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris also commented on the shooting, describing it as “a cowardly and callous attack”.
He said: “This is a really significant event. It’s a very serious event. A well-known local police officer is now in a critical condition.
A police forensic officer at the scene
“My thoughts are with him and his family and everyone in the policing community and the community of Omagh.
“Society has moved on in Northern Ireland – there is no place for violence like this.”
Irish police are working closely in co-operation with their counterparts in the PSNI, and have intensified patrols amid suspicions the gunmen may have fled across the border.
In a statement last night, the Garda said it is “currently responding to an ongoing incident which took place earlier this evening in Northern Ireland”.
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N Ireland: Police officer shot
“A Garda Siochana has intensified patrolling in border counties.”
PSNI Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Eamonn Corrigan said: “Our investigation is now under way and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and witnessed what happened or could help with our enquiries to make contact with police on 101.”
‘A grotesque act of attempted murder’
The shooting has been condemned by politicians across the UK and Ireland.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was appalled by the “disgraceful shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh”.
Irish premier Leo Varadkar condemned the “grotesque act of attempted murder”.
“Our thoughts are with the injured officer, his family, colleagues and friends at this difficult time,” the Taoiseach said.
“I utterly condemn this grotesque act of attempted murder.”
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill said it was an “outrageous and shameful attack”.
“My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family,” she said.
“I unreservedly condemn this reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer.”
Weather warnings are in place for snow, wind and rain across much of the UK on New Year’s Day.
The start of 2025 will bring a “multi-hazard storm, combining severe gales, heavy rain and possibly significant snow as the rain runs into cold air,” said Sky News meteorologist Christopher England.
Pic: Met Office
The most significant snowfall on New Year’s Day will be from Donegal, across Northern Ireland and into the north of England and south of Scotland.
The wind looks strongest in the south, Mr England added, where 60mph winds are possible inland and 80mph gusts around the coasts of the Irish Sea.
The stormy weather continues on 2 January, with the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings across England, Wales and parts of Scotland.
The UK has faced widespread disruption over the last few days, as thick fog descended.
Tens of thousands of passengers had flights delayed or cancelled, while drivers were warned about dangerous conditions with poor visibility.
Revellers are also set for a “wet and rather windy” New Year’s Eve, with the potential for a snowy Hogmanay in Scotland.
There could be some “possibly disruptive weather” on 31 December, Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said, with Scotland likely to see the worst of it.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for winds of up to 70mph that may cause travel disruption on New Year’s Eve.
The alert, in place from 7am until 11pm on Tuesday, covers most of Northern Ireland as well as north of York in England up to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Greenock.
The forecaster also warned that delays to transport are likely, with gusts of up to 60mph expected in most areas.
Those affected should check road conditions for driving and the latest travel information as well as preparing for in advance for potential power cuts.
A pensioner who is refusing to leave what’s being branded Britain’s loneliest housing estate has told Sky News he is facing bullying and intimidation tactics to force him out.
Nick Wisniewski’s ex-council flat in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire is set to be demolished because the local authority wants to redevelop the area, which has become a derelict eyesore.
The vast area on the outskirts of Glasgow used to have almost 1,000 properties, but slowly the bulldozers have moved in, creating huge mounds of rubble where homes once stood.
The land is overgrown, with all remaining properties boarded up – apart from the retired bank worker’s home, which demolition teams have been unable to touch as he refuses to budge.
Nick Wisniewski claims he is being bullied to leave his home
Rubble where homes on the estate once stood
‘They’ll basically need to drag me out’
The 68-year-old, whose neighbours were all rehomed in 2023, bought the flat in 2017 under the discounted right-to-buy scheme and is now mortgage-free.
He told Sky News he rejected an initial offer from North Lanarkshire Council of £35,000 plus two year’s rent as it would not be enough to buy a new place.
Contemplating a time in the future when he is forced out, he said: “By law they can smash my door down, they can come in here, manhandle me to get me out. That’s the law, and they’ll basically need to drag me out.”
Asked if he is prepared to go to that length to stop himself being removed, he said: “I am hoping it doesn’t come to that, but if it does then so be it.”
He reveals a compulsory purchase order process is now under way.
A compulsory purchase order is the legal power given to a local council to buy a property without the owner’s consent.
The legal battle will now be resolved by the Scottish government in due course.
There used to be almost a thousand properties on the estate
He said: “It’s been all intimidation, bullying, lies. They offered me £40,000 over a year ago. I thought they’d have offered me a wee bit more. I would accept, probably, £60,000.
“They had a meeting a couple of weeks ago saying that they are starting legal, which means compulsory purchase order.
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“There’s so many stages to that and it’ll take a while for that to come in to force.”
North Lanarkshire Council told Sky News it “completely refutes” any allegations of bullying or intimidation.
A spokesman said: “We are continuing to try and engage with the remaining resident and our focus is on progressing our ambitious plans to transform this area of Gowkthrapple for the benefit of the local community.”
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