Crime & Law

Reward for information about shooting of PSNI officer in Omagh increased to £150,000

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell remains in a critical but stable condition following February 22nd attack

Mark Duthrie, of the Crimestoppers charity, announcing an increased reward for information on the shooting of PSNI officer John Caldwell. Photograph: PA Wire
Mark Duthrie, of the Crimestoppers charity, announcing an increased reward for information on the shooting of PSNI officer John Caldwell. Photograph: PA Wire
Wed Mar 08 2023 - 14:03

The reward for information about the shooting of senior PSNI officer John Caldwell has been increased to £150,000 (€168,243).

The Detective Chief Inspector was shot several times at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone, last month after coaching a children’s football match.

Crimestoppers director of operations Mark Duthrie announced the increased reward at PSNI headquarters in Belfast on Wednesday.

“We want those responsible for the shooting to be brought to justice.” he said. “Through the generosity of anonymous donors from Northern Ireland we are now increasing our reward for information leading to arrest and conviction up to a total of £150,000. This is one of the highest rewards the charity has ever offered.”

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The PSNI also revealed that detectives now believe a second vehicle is suspected to have been used to carry out the attack on Mr Caldwell, who remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital..

Police previously appealed for information regarding a blue Ford Fiesta discovered at the end of February. New CCTV footage of this vehicle leaving Coalisland, Co Tyrone on the night of February 21st has been released.

Det Chief Insp Eamonn Corrigan outlined the details of a newly discovered second vehicle in an appeal for information.

“Today I’m in a position to say a second Ford Fiesta vehicle was used in the attempted murder of DCI Caldwell,” he said.

“The second car had the registration number RLZ 9805 and was bought in the Glengormley area of Belfast towards the end of January.

“It was then driven from Belfast at approximately 1pm on Wednesday February 22nd, the day of the attack on John, and travelled along the M1 in the direction of Coalisland and Omagh.

“It was found burnt out in the Ardboe industrial estate the following day.”

Police previously said they believed the first car had transported the gunmen. Mr Corrigan said officers are “keeping an open mind” about the nature of the second car but suspect both vehicles were used during the attack. - PA