A 71-year-old man is the sixth person arrested in connection with the attempted murder of an off-duty police officer in Omagh.
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell is in hospital with critical injuries after he was shot after a youth football coaching session at a sports center on Wednesday night.
Police believe two gunmen shot at him several times for the group of children, including Mr. Caldwell’s young son.
His injuries from the incident have been described as “life-changing.”
The dissident Republican group, the New IRA, is the main line of inquiry for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
The 71-year-old was arrested yesterday under the Terrorism Act and will be questioned by detectives from the Musgrave Serious Crime Suite.
The five other men – aged 22, 38, 43, 45 and 47 – who were also arrested in connection with the attempted murder remain in custody.
Earlier on Saturday, the PSNI said they had been granted an extension of the detention of four of the men, allowing more time for questioning.
DCI Caldwell is known in the area for leading investigations into high-profile sectarian murders, paramilitary groups and organized crime gangs.
On Friday, he was described as being in a critical but stable condition, having reportedly undergone two surgeries.
Chief Constable Simon Byrne said Mr Caldwell’s wife and son were ‘clearly affected by what they have been through’.
He added: “They would like to express their gratitude to both the people who provided first aid and care at the scene, as well as the community-wide support for this terrible outrage.
Hundreds of people gathered yesterday to demand an end to paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland.
Omagh’s main street was brought to a standstill as crowds gathered in front of the courthouse for a demonstration in solidarity with Mr Caldwell and his loved ones.
They stood a short distance from the spot where a dissident Republican bomb killed 29 people in 1998. They held posters that read, “No turning back.”
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