A fourth man has been detained in Northern Ireland for the attempted murder of an off-duty detective chief inspector.
After an under-15 training session in Omagh, County Tyrone, on Wednesday, John Caldwell was loading footballs into his vehicle with his son when he was shot multiple times.
The 48-year-old is still in critical but stable condition in the hospital.
Later, political leaders will meet with the superintendent of police to discuss the attack.
The police are investigating dissident republicans, with a particular focus on the New IRA; however, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan stated that the police were maintaining an open mind.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) announced on Friday morning that a 22-year-old man had been arrested in the Coalisland area of County Tyrone under the Terrorism Act and is presently being questioned at Musgrave Serious Crime Suite.
Three males, ages 38, 45, and 47, who was arrested on Thursday in Omagh and Coalisland, remain in custody.
According to Liam Kelly, the chairman of the Northern Ireland Police Federation, Det Ch Insp Caldwell has sustained life-altering injuries as a result of the gunshot.
During his 26-year career, Det Ch Insp Caldwell has been one of the most well-known detectives in the PSNI, frequently holding press conferences on significant investigations.
At around 20:00 GMT on Wednesday, the father of four was coaching a Beragh Swifts training session at Youth Sport Omagh when he was confronted and shot.
Children fled in terror when shots rang out in the parking lot, and Beragh Swifts chairman Ricky Lyons stated that the club was supporting the young players who observed the shooting.
Mr. Lyons remarked, “It’s hard to imagine that someone would try to murder John at that time. As he was conducting a training session for children.”
Conrad Kirkwood, president of the Irish Football Association (IFA), stated that he received a message from Detective Chief Inspector Caldwell earlier this week regarding conducting a football seminar at his club.
“This is a man who, despite having a full-time job, is completely invested in attempting to make things better – it makes it even more tragic,” he continued.
A police cordon at the shooting site at the Youth Sport Omagh complex has been reduced but remains in place.
On Thursday night, a recovery vehicle transporting two cars departed the scene under police protection.
The threat level of terrorism examined
Politicians have condemned Wednesday’s attack as reprehensible and callous.
On Thursday, PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne briefed representatives of the Policing Board. Which is comprised of assembly members from the five major Stormont parties.
Michelle O’Neill, the deputy leader of Sinn Féin, stated that politicians from her party, the Democratic Unionist Party, Alliance, the Ulster Unionist Party, and the Social Democratic and Labour Party would meet with Mr. Byrne later on Friday to discuss the current terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland.
On Saturday morning, a rally condemning the attack will be conducted at Omagh’s courthouse.
It will take place near the site where 29 people were killed by an explosion in the County Tyrone town on August 15, 1998 – the worst single act of violence committed during the Troubles.
Last March, the threat level posed by dissident republican terrorism in Northern Ireland was reduced from severe to substantial for the first time in 12 years.
The Security Service (MI5) decided to reduce the threat level after evaluating a broad range of information independently of ministers.
Since 2010, it has been “severe,” which indicates that attacks are highly probable. It is now “substantial,” indicating that attacks are likely.
The hazard level is evaluated over time rather than in response to a single event.
Border surveillance
Police believe the assailants fled in a small, dark automobile, which was discovered ablaze on Racolpa Road outside of Omagh.
Between Rushill Road and Crocknacor Road, Racolpa Road is closed. Police verified this is related to the investigation on Friday morning.
A Garda Sochána (Irish police) stated that it had increased border county patrols.
The last armed assault against a PSNI officer occurred in January 2017.
At a gas station in north Belfast, the PSNI officer was wounded by automatic gunfire.
Who are the republican dissidents?
The term “dissident republicans” refers to a variety of individuals who reject the Good Friday Agreement. The 1998 peace accord that terminated the worst of Northern Ireland’s troubles.
The Provisional IRA, the principal armed republican paramilitary organization for the majority of the Troubles, declared a ceasefire in the lead-up to the agreement and officially ended its violent campaign in 2005.
Dissident republicanism consists of factions that split from the Provisional IRA in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. Such as the Continuity IRA and the New IRA.
They have continued to use violence to unite Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland into a single state. But their activities have been sporadic and frequently thwarted by security services.
While the organizations are much smaller than the Provisional IRA. They have access to high-caliber weapons and have used homemade explosive devices and mortars in attacks and attempted attacks.
The New IRA is the largest and most active organization, with its strongest presence in Londonderry and County Tyrone.
According to previous security assessments, the group had approximately 100 members prepared to commit violent acts and approximately 500 supporters.
Multiple successful security operations conducted by MI5 have placed it on the defensive. Resulting in a decrease in the level of terrorist threat in 2022.
After MI5 intercepted two alleged executive meetings of the New IRA in 2020, several suspected members were detained.
After a period of inactivity, the New IRA reemerged in November with an explosives attack on a police patrol car.
