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| John Caldwell: Detective shot in dissident republican attack leaves hospital | John Caldwell: Detective shot in dissident republican attack leaves hospital |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Det Ch Insp John Caldwell has been involved in a number of major investigations | Det Ch Insp John Caldwell has been involved in a number of major investigations |
| A senior detective who was shot at a sports complex in County Tyrone has been discharged from hospital, police confirmed. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | A total of 15 people have been detained during the investigation into the attack. |
| Timeline of dissident republican activity | Timeline of dissident republican activity |
| Police have previously said they were "working relentlessly to bring those responsible to justice". | Police have previously said they were "working relentlessly to bring those responsible to justice". |
| On Thursday, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland said DCI Caldwell's discharge was "wonderful news". | On Thursday, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland said DCI Caldwell's discharge was "wonderful news". |
| "A long road to recovery ahead so we reiterate the appeal to give the Caldwell family the peace and privacy they deserve," the organisation said. | "A long road to recovery ahead so we reiterate the appeal to give the Caldwell family the peace and privacy they deserve," the organisation said. |
| Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris wished Mr Caldwell and his family "the very best as his recovery continues". | |
| DCI Caldwell was attacked while putting footballs into his car after coaching young people at football. | 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. | The shooting, which occurred in front of school children, has been widely condemned by political figures across Northern Ireland. |
| 'We can't go back' | 'We can't go back' |
| Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Mr Caldwell in hospital. | 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. | 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. | "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'." | "We sat together and talked about the society he loves and about his ordeal. He told me: 'We can't go back'." |
| Eight weeks ago, John Caldwell's life was on a knife edge. | Eight weeks ago, John Caldwell's life was on a knife edge. |
| Shot a number of times at close quarters, police commanders had feared the worst. | Shot a number of times at close quarters, police commanders had feared the worst. |
| As Chief Constable Simon Byrne held a press conference the day after the attack, Mr Caldwell was undergoing further surgery, amid speculation of a setback or complications. | As Chief Constable Simon Byrne held a press conference the day after the attack, Mr Caldwell was undergoing further surgery, amid speculation of a setback or complications. |
| For weeks, his condition remained unchanged at critical. | For weeks, his condition remained unchanged at critical. |
| But lately came news of a move out of intensive care, which coincided with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaving a meeting with President Biden in Belfast to visit him in Londonderry. | But lately came news of a move out of intensive care, which coincided with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaving a meeting with President Biden in Belfast to visit him in Londonderry. |
| His release from hospital will be news welcomed both inside and outside the PSNI. | His release from hospital will be news welcomed both inside and outside the PSNI. |
| Who is John Caldwell? | Who is John Caldwell? |
| Det Ch Insp Caldwell, who has been a police officer for 26 years and is from County Tyrone, is one of the best-known detectives in the Police Service of Northern Ireland. | Det Ch Insp Caldwell, who has been a police officer for 26 years and is from County Tyrone, is one of the best-known detectives in the Police Service of Northern Ireland. |
| He has led high-profile inquiries into murders, organised crime and dissident republicans. | He has led high-profile inquiries into murders, organised crime and dissident republicans. |
| BBC News NI understands Mr Caldwell had received a number of threats in the past and was aware his investigations relating to dissident republican attacks - including the killing of Lyra McKee in 2019 - made him a high-profile target. | BBC News NI understands Mr Caldwell had received a number of threats in the past and was aware his investigations relating to dissident republican attacks - including the killing of Lyra McKee in 2019 - made him a high-profile target. |
| Mr Caldwell had also investigated the murder of police officer Ronan Kerr near Omagh in 2011. | Mr Caldwell had also investigated the murder of police officer Ronan Kerr near Omagh in 2011. |
| Read more: Who is the detective shot in Omagh attack? | Read more: Who is the detective shot in Omagh attack? |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Omagh | Omagh |
| Police Service of Northern Ireland | Police Service of Northern Ireland |