Northern Ireland

Solicitor for John Caldwell attack suspect lodges Police Ombudsman complaint

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell

A LAWYER acting for one of the men arrested on connection with the attempt to kill senior PSNI officer John Caldwell has lodged a complaint with the Police Ombudsman.

The 48-year-old remains in a critical but stable condition after being shot at the Youth Sport Omagh complex on the Killyclogher Road.

The New IRA has claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place on February 22.

Eight men, aged between 22 and 71, have been arrested and subsequently released since the attack was carried out.

Last month, police released details of the blue Ford Fiesta getaway car used by the gunmen, which was later found burn out at Racopla Road, between Omagh and Carrickmore.

The burnt-out getaway car
The burnt-out getaway car The burnt-out getaway car

The Irish News revealed last week that police were also investigating the discovery of a second Ford Fiesta in Co Tyrone.

On several occasions when pressed by the Irish News the PSNI insisted the vehicle was found in the Coalisland area despite being asked if had been discovered in Ardboe, which is ten miles from Coalisland.

At a press conference yesterday senior PSNI officer revealed the vehicle was recovered from an industrial estate in Ardboe a day after the gun attack.

Solicitor Michael Brentnall, of Brentnall Legal, said on Wednesday he had lodged a complaint with the Police Ombudsman saying police referenced a second car being found in the "Coalisland area" while interviewing one of the suspects.

He said that if the precise information about its location had been disclosed during the interview "it may have prevented the elongation of the interview process."

The Police Ombudsman was contacted.

The PSNI was contacted.