Retiree, 71, is sixth person arrested for shooting an Omagh detective

A retiree is the sixth person arrested in connection with the shooting of a senior off-duty police officer while he was coaching a youth football team in Northern Ireland.

Police detain a 71-year-old man under the Terrorism Act Detective Superintendent John Caldwell was shot four times in front of his traumatized son on Wednesday night.

Caldwell, 48, is still in critical condition. Hundreds of people gathered in the streets today to demand an end to the violence.

Detectives have publicly stated that they believe the shooting is terror-related and have linked the attack, which they consider attempted murder, to the dissident republican group the New IRA.

The latest suspect is now the sixth person arrested in connection with the shooting.

Police previously announced that they had been given more time to question the first four suspects, aged 22, 38, 45 and 47, until 10 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28.

A fifth man, aged 43, who was arrested on Friday is also in custody.

Citizens who may have more information are nevertheless requested to report.

The local community rallied behind Mr Caldwell and his family to demand an end to the violence in the streets of Omagh.

On Saturday, the main street of Omagh was brought to a halt by the demonstrators, who chanted and held posters that read, “No going back.”

The slogan refers to the history of violence and terror in Northern Ireland. The demonstration was organized by trade unions.

Anton McCabe, secretary of the Omagh Trade Union Council, said they were mindful that a man remains seriously ill and children have been traumatized by the incident, and wanted to hold a meeting that was as respectful as possible.

“We’re here today to say we can’t go back — not back to violence, fear and injustice,” he told those in attendance.

Unison’s Patricia McKeown said peace in Northern Ireland was only achieved when ‘a massacre was perpetrated on the men, women and children of Omagh’.

The protest took place a short distance from where a 1998 dissident Republican bomb killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.

“Twenty-five years later the attempt has been made again and your spirit and determination has not been broken,” said Ms. McKeown.

“The factions that rejected our peace deal will not change the resolve of the people.”

Padraig Mulholland of Nipsa said there are two Omaghs.

‘There is the Omagh where this attack took place, but there is the positive Omagh; there is the Omagh who want positive change and who were best represented by health and education workers who protested here again earlier this week. They were here for young people, for working people, trying to fight for a better future,” he said.

“No way back, let’s fight for a better future for everyone.”

Mr McCabe gave the final speech and said: ‘A clear message has gone out today: there is no turning back.

“Those who shot John Caldwell on Wednesday were in serious danger of starting a fire that could burn us all, and let’s be clear, the people of Omagh said no today – no going back.

“Not only do we stand in horror at what has been done to John Caldwell, but stand here and say, ‘Let’s build a better society, of justice, peace and equality.'”

A minute’s silence was observed.

The high-profile police officer, who has led a number of major investigations, shouted ‘I was shot, I was shot’ before collapsing on a running track 30 meters from where he was attacked, as children ran in terror to get him. to safety.

Mr Caldwell was hit four times while loading footballs into his car his son, 12, ‘came within a hair’s breadth of being shot’.

After the event, Mr McCabe greeted those attending the rally, describing it as a strong message from the people of Northern Ireland that they do not want to return to violence.

Earlier hundreds gathered in Beragh, about eight miles from Omagh, for a solidarity walk from the Beragh Swifts ground for Mr Caldwell.

Beragh Swifts chairman Richard Lyons said the community came together in support of their friend and for all the children affected by the shooting.

‘It’s been a very difficult time for the club; it’s been a very difficult time for the community,” he said.

John worked tirelessly for this club. He is no different than any other volunteer… John’s contribution to this club is phenomenal and this is an incredibly difficult time for all of us.”