Seven men have appeared in court after being charged with the attempted murder of a police chief inspector in Northern Ireland.
John Caldwell ‘suffered life-changing injuries’ after being shot multiple times by masked gunmen at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
His young son was with him as he loaded footballs into the boot of his car when the group approached.
After the initial gunshots, the off-duty officer ran a short distance before falling to the ground where they continued to fire at him as children ran in terror to get to safety.
Detectives suspect the dissident republican New IRA carried out the shooting on February 22.
All seven men appeared via videolink at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court today.
The accused are: Jonathan McGinty, 28, of St Julians Downs, Omagh; Brian Carron, 38, of Claremount Drive, Coalisland; Gavin Coyle, 45, of Killybrack Mews, Omagh; Matthew McLean, 33, Glenpark Road, Omagh; Robert McLean, 29, Deverney Park, Omagh; James Ivor McLean, 72, of Deverney Park, Omagh; and Alan McFarland, 47, of Deverney Park, Omagh.
Both Carron and Coyle stand further accused of belonging to a proscribed group, namely the IRA.
McGinty, McFarland and Matthew McLean are also charged with preparation of terrorist acts.
Three of the seven accused made bail applications on Monday – Coyle, James Ivor McLean and McGinty.
But district judge Steven Keown refused bail for all three on the grounds of risk of further offending and potential interference with the police investigation.
All seven were remanded in custody to appear before Omagh Magistrates’ Court, via videolink, on June 27.
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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