Police in Northern Ireland are reviewing what seems to be a claim of responsibility by the New Irish Republican Army (IRA) in the attempted murder of off-duty inspector John Caldwell.
Caldwell, detective chief inspector (DCI) at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), was gunned down in front of his teenage son at a sports complex in Omagh, County Tyrone, on Feb. 22.
New IRA
Police have previously said their main line of enquiry is that the attack was carried out by “violent dissident republicans,” with a “primary focus ... on the New IRA.”On Sunday night, a typed message appeared on a wall in Londonderry, purportedly from the New IRA, claiming responsibility for Caldwell’s attempted murder.
It was signed by “T O’Neill”—a name previously used by the dissident terrorist group.
“The Irish Republican Army claim responsibility for the military operation targeting senior Crown Force member John Caldwell,” the message reads.
“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.”
The message went on to threaten police officers by saying the IRA has “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,” it reads.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said on Monday that officers are aware of the message and 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,” he added.
The group, which was previously called the Real IRA and continues to refer to itself as the Irish Republican Army, was dubbed the New IRA by media in 2012 after it absorbed some other small republican militant groups.
It claims the right to “armed struggle” to achieve Irish independence
At Least 10 Shots Fired
Caldwell had been loading footballs into the boot of his car alongside his young son when two masked men approached and opened fire in the sports complex car park.He had just finished coaching an under-15 football team when the attack was carried out in full view of shocked parents and children.
Corrigan said on Monday that police believe at least 10 shots were fired “from close range in the busy sports training area, which could have quite easily seriously injured or killed anyone close by.”
“That shows the completely reckless nature of this attack and the callous disregard the gunmen had for children and adults who were present at the time of the shooting.”
Corrigan said the PSNI has so far conducted 12 searches in Omagh and the surrounding area and arrested six men aged between 22 and 71, who remain in custody for questioning.
Police also released CCTV footage of a a blue Ford Fiesta that was bought on Feb. 8 and fitted with false plates before the attack.
“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,” Corrigan said, appealing for information on the car.
Sinn Fein’s Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill stressed the importance of unity, saying the attack was “an attack on all of us” and “an attack on our community.”
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said his thoughts and prayers were with Caldwell and his family, as he warned the people who carried out the attack, “You are not the future of this place.”
