A senior detective who was shot at a sports complex in County Tyrone has been discharged from hospital, police confirmed. Det Ch Insp John Caldwell, 48, suffered life-changing injuries in the attack in Omagh. on 22 February.
Police believe the dissident republican group the New IRA was behind the attack. On Thursday, the PSNI said he had left hospital to continue his recovery.
“We would ask that John and his family are given privacy at this time,” a spokesperson said. A total of 15 people have been detained during the investigation into the attack.
Police have previously said they were “working relentlessly to bring those responsible to justice”.
DCI Caldwell was attacked while putting footballs into his car after coaching young people at football. The shooting, which occurred in front of school children, has been widely condemned by political figures across Northern Ireland.
He is one of the best-known detectives in the PSNI, often fronting press conferences on major inquiries during his 26-year career. Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Mr Caldwell in hospital.
Speaking at an event to mark the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement on Wednesday, the prime minister described the officer as a man who had “dedicated himself” to peace-building.
“A policeman, a father, a husband, a children’s football coach – DCI John Caldwell,” Mr. Sunak said. We sat together and talked about the society he loves and about his ordeal. He told me: ‘We can’t go back’.
Source: BBC
In other news – Migration bill: Home secretary set to win powers to ignore European court
The home secretary is expected to be given the ability to ignore attempts by European judges to halt migrant deportations from the UK. The change will be made to the Illegal Migration Bill, after the government made concessions to Conservative MPs.
The move should avoid a rebellion from some MPs, who have been demanding tougher action against the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The change will be made in amendments when the bill returns to the Commons. Learn more
