Northern Ireland

Replica toy guns found in Co Tyrone village DCI John Caldwell vigil and walk was held

Club members and supporters in support of John Caldwell (Brian Lawless/PA)
Club members and supporters in support of John Caldwell (Brian Lawless/PA) Club members and supporters in support of John Caldwell (Brian Lawless/PA)

A number of airsoft guns were recovered during a security alert in a CoTyrone village which on Saturday hosted a vigil and solidarity walk for a police officer shot by gunmen at a sports centre in front of his young son.

Officers and Ammunition Technical Officers attended the scene in the Dervaghroy Road area of Beragh and local road closures, along with cordons, were in place for a time.

A number of airsoft guns were recovered. Airsoft guns are replica toy guns used in airsoft sports.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell remains critically ill after being shot on Wednesday night.

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

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

Hundreds of people travelled from all over Ireland to support the community of the small Tyrone town of Beragh as the local protestant and catholic communities walked side-by-side through the streets.The walk was led by the Beragh Swifts under 15 football side who were coached by shot PSNI Detective Chief Superintendent John Caldwell.He was gunned down, police believe, by New IRA gunmen as he left a coaching session on Wednesday night with his young son.DCI Caldwell remains critically ill in hospital..
Hundreds of people travelled from all over Ireland to support the community of the small Tyrone town of Beragh as the local protestant and catholic communities walked side-by-side through the streets.The walk was led by the Beragh Swifts under 15 football Hundreds of people travelled from all over Ireland to support the community of the small Tyrone town of Beragh as the local protestant and catholic communities walked side-by-side through the streets.The walk was led by the Beragh Swifts under 15 football side who were coached by shot PSNI Detective Chief Superintendent John Caldwell.He was gunned down, police believe, by New IRA gunmen as he left a coaching session on Wednesday night with his young son.DCI Caldwell remains critically ill in hospital..

"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's no different to any other volunteer... the contribution that John gives to this club is phenomenal and this is an unbelievably difficult time for us all."

Later that afternoon, police confirmed they had been called to the Dervaghroy Road in Beragh to examine a suspicious object. 

All roads have since re-opened. The security alert has ended.

Police said: "We would like to thank the local community for their patience while this public safety operation was carried out."