23/02/2023

Leaders Unite In 'Outright Condemnation' Of Officer Shooting

NI's political leaders has issued a joint statement in "outright condemnation" of the attempted murder of off-duty PSNI officer DCI John Caldwell.

In the statement from the leaders of Sinn Féin, the DUP, Alliance, UUP and SDLP, said: “We extend our heartfelt solidarity to DCI John Caldwell and his family after yesterday evening's cowardly gun attack which has left him critically injured.

"Our thoughts are with John and his family and we wish him a full recovery.

"We stand united in our outright condemnation of this attack after he was shot in Omagh, Co. Tyrone yesterday evening in front of his son and other children and young people at a sports facility.

"We speak for the overwhelming majority of people right across our community who are outraged and sickened by this reprehensible and callous attempted murder.

"The community of Omagh has endured profound suffering, loss, and pain in the past which has left a deep trauma, and so this act of violence has left people there rightly angered.

"There is absolutely no tolerance for such attacks by the enemies of our peace.

"Those responsible must be brought to justice.

"This will require the full co-operation of the public whom we call upon to assist police in this attempted murder investigation.

"Together we stand with John's family and his colleagues in the police service at this time."

The statement was signed by Michelle O'Neill, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Naomi Long, Doug Beattie and Colum Eastwood.


Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 November 2024
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
18 November 2020
Reward For Information On Shooting Of Coleraine Woman
A reward of £10,000 is being offered for information leading to a conviction in the shooting of a vulnerable woman at her home on Bushmills Road, Coleraine on Monday 05 October.
28 May 2009
Coleraine Murder Accused In Court
Nine men have appeared in court charged in connection with the murder of Coleraine father-of-four Kevin McDaid, and the attempted murder of Damien Fleming at the weekend.
23 February 2024
One Year On Since Attempted Murder Of DCI John Caldwell
The PSNI will "continue to relentlessly pursue those responsible" for the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said as he marked the first anniversary of the gun attack.
01 September 2021
Francis Lanigan Conviction Upheld For Murder Of John Knocker
Francis Lanigan has lost his appeal against his conviction and sentencing over the 1998 murder of John Knocker. Belfast Court of Appeal upheld the original conviction and sentencing of 20 years imprisonment after Lanigan, 57, appealed on grounds of "flawed DNA evidence".