Latest news with #SeriousCrimeBranch
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Two men charged in connection with attempted murder of PSNI detective John Caldwell
Two men are to appear in court charged with preparing terrorist acts and perverting the course of justice in connection with the attempted murder of a senior police officer. Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was seriously injured after being shot several times at a leisure centre in Omagh in February 2023. The attack happened while he was off duty and with his young son, packing up after coaching a youth football team. The PSNI said on Tuesday that detectives from the Serious Crime Branch had charged the two men following their arrests and subsequent detention under the Terrorism Act on Monday. A 45-year-old man, arrested in the Stewartstown area and a man aged 25, arrested in west Belfast, have both been charged with the preparation of terrorist acts and perverting the course of justice. They are due to appear at Dungannon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning. As is the usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Several people have already been arrested and charged in relation to the shooting. Mr Caldwell retired from the PSNI last December on medical grounds.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Two charged on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and attempted murder attack on senior detective John Caldwell
The PSNI said that detectives from Serious Crime Branch had charged the two men POLICE PROBE Two charged on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and attempted murder attack on senior detective John Caldwell TWO men have been charged to appear in court on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and perverting the course of justice in connection with the attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell. The PSNI said on Tuesday that detectives from Serious Crime Branch had charged the two men following their arrests and subsequent detention under the Terrorism Act on Monday. Advertisement A 45-year-old man, arrested in the Stewartstown area and a man aged 25, arrested in west Belfast, have both been charged with the preparation of terrorist acts and perverting the course of justice. They are due to appear at Dungannon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning. As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. DCI John Caldwell is a police officer in Omagh, Northern Ireland. Advertisement He was shot while coaching an underage Gaelic football team at around 8pm on February 22, 2023. One of the children at the coaching session was his son. He is a well known face on TV in Northern Ireland, previously speaking at press conferences and appeals. What happened to John Caldwell? Advertisement DCI Caldwell was blasted a "number of times" by masked gunmen in front of his son and the young people he was coaching as he loaded footballs into his car. The cop fell to the ground as he attempted to run, with the shooters continuing to fire at him. A "brave" member of the public has been praised after rushing towards DCI Caldwell to administer first aid. An attempted murder probe has been launched with political leaders in the UK and Ireland condemning the horror. Advertisement Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was appalled by the "disgraceful shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh". While Irish premier Leo Varadkar condemned the "grotesque act of attempted murder". Around 70 young people were at Youth Sport Omagh when the gun attack happened, local sources told Belfast Live. The attack is the most serious on a police officer since the murder of Ronan Kerr, 25, in 2011 in Omagh. Advertisement He was killed by a bomb that had been attached under his car just outside his home. Omagh was also the scene of a bombing carried out by dissident republicans on August 15, 1998, which killed 29 people. The car bombing was the worst single atrocity of the Troubles. It was perpetrated by a group calling themselves the Real Irish Republican Army, an IRA splinter group who opposed the ceasefire and the Good Friday Agreement. Advertisement
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Two men charged in connection with attempted murder of PSNI detective John Caldwell
Two men are to appear in court charged with preparing terrorist acts and perverting the course of justice in connection with the attempted murder of a senior PSNI officer. Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was seriously injured after being shot several times at a leisure centre in Omagh, Co Tyrone, in February 2023. Advertisement The attack happened while he was off duty and with his young son, packing up after coaching a youth football team. The PSNI said on Tuesday that detectives from the Serious Crime Branch had charged the two men following their arrests and subsequent detention under the Terrorism Act on Monday. A 45-year-old man, arrested in the Stewartstown area and a man aged 25, arrested in west Belfast, have both been charged with the preparation of terrorist acts and perverting the course of justice. They are due to appear at Dungannon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning. Advertisement As is the usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Several people have already been arrested and charged in relation to the shooting. Mr Caldwell retired from the PSNI last December on medical grounds.
Irish Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man arrested after viable device thrown through window of Belfast Islamic Centre
A man has been arrested under the Terrorism Act after a viable device was thrown through the window of the Belfast Islamic Centre during a 'sinister' attack on Friday night. Police received a report at approximately 10.10pm that an object had been thrown through a window at the centre in the University Road area of the city while people were praying inside the building. The incident sparked a security alert and the building was evacuated. Officers attended and carried out a search of the building where a suspicious device was discovered. Ammunition Technical Officers attended and examined the object which was determined as viable and has since been removed for forensic examination. A 34-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act at the scene and remains in police custody at this time. "It is important to stress that, while the suspect has been arrested under the Terrorism Act, the motive for the attack has not yet been established," Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said in a statement. 'Detectives from Serious Crime Branch are currently working at pace and are exploring a number of potential motivating factors including the possibility that this is a hate crime. "At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack. I urge anyone who was in the area at the time or may have information to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1808 20/06/25.' A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey has condemned the attack. She said: "I unreservedly condemn this sinister attack, and I welcome that the suspect is now in custody, thanks to the vigilance of a member of the public. 'No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship, and my thoughts are with everyone affected. 'Acts like these, fuelled by hate, spread fear and division, and target people who have come to our communities to build a life and call this place home. 'It's vital that all political leaders speak out and stand united against this disgusting behaviour.' Green Party Councillor Áine Groogan also strongly condemned the attack describing it as a "cowardly and vicious act." 'I am horrified to hear about the attack on the Islamic Centre during evening prayers," she said. 'I want to pay tribute to the courageous passer-by who intervened and prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome. It is terrifying to consider what might have happened, and I sincerely hope that all those present are recovering from this traumatic ordeal.' 'This attack is yet another reminder of the very real danger faced by our Islamic community. The recent rise in racist hate and violence on our streets is a shameful stain on our society. "We must all take responsibility for actively challenging racism, misinformation, and bigotry wherever it appears before someone is seriously hurt. 'I urge those politicians who continue to hide behind the notion of so-called 'legitimate concerns' around migration to reflect on the consequences of their words. Such narratives are as disingenuous as they are dangerous. They help foster a culture in which hate can thrive. Frankly, they should know better.'
Sunday World
21-06-2025
- Sunday World
Man arrested under Terrorism Act after viable device thrown inside Belfast Islamic Centre
Police probe potential hate motive as incident is widely condemned Police said a viable device was thrown inside the building. A window was smashed during the incident. One man has been arrested under the Terrorism Act. Kashif Akram said the attack, which happened shortly after 10pm last night, had caused much distress. He told the Belfast Telegraph the centre, on University Road, had to be evacuated, disrupting evening prayers. Political representatives branded it a sinister attack and said it must be strongly condemned. A broken window after an attack at the Belfast Islamic Centre. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press Police said one man remained in custody this afternoon. Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said: 'Police received a report at approximately 10.10pm on Friday that an object had been thrown through a window at a property in the University Road area of the city. 'Officers attended and carried out a search of the building where a suspicious device was discovered. 'Ammunition Technical Officers attended and examined the object which was determined as viable and has since been removed for forensic examination. 'A 34-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act at the scene and remains in police custody at this time. It is important to stress that, while the suspect has been arrested under the Terrorism Act, the motive for the attack has not yet been established. Police at the scene last night (left) and the Islamic Centre this morning (right) News in 90 Seconds - June 21st 'Detectives from Serious Crime Branch are currently working at pace and are exploring a number of potential motivating factors including the possibility that this is a hate crime. 'At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack.' A video from the first floor of the centre, seen by this newspaper, shows a man reaching into the building. . "I saw the flames in his hand from above but couldn't capture it in the video," they said. A pedestrian walking by stopped the suspect from doing any damage. A clip of the incident shows the young man grabbing the suspect and pulling him away. The suspect can be heard telling the pedestrian that he was "trying to save the world" as he was being dragged away. "He was the first to stop him," the witness continued. "Only then did we reach there." Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph today, Mr Akram said he strongly condemned the 'vile attack'. 'During evening prayers last night, one of the windows was broken and a device was thrown inside the building,' he said. Police at the scene of the security alert outside Belfast Islamic Centre (Photo by Kevin Scott) 'Everyone was evacuated from the building and the police were quick to respond. 'We were unable to continue night prayers as the whole area was cordoned off and nobody was allowed near the building. 'A bomb squad eventually removed the device in the early hours of this morning. 'We have had incidents in the past but nothing of this kind.' He said that while members were very angry and upset, the centre has been able to reopen today. South Belfast MP Claire Hanna said she was 'appalled' at the attack. 'I am hugely relieved that no one was seriously injured, but this was a frightening and disturbing experience for the centre's users and for all of us who value a peaceful and shared society,' she said. Read more Hanna added: 'Belfast is an open and welcoming city. No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship.' SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole said it was a 'cowardly attack' and 'yet another stark reminder of the very real and growing threat of race hate in our society'. Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw said: 'This attack was again designed to cause fear among people inside the centre, who were at prayer at the time. 'Nevertheless, I am thankful for the intervention of a nearby passer-by and for the work of the police. Those were much more reflective of the true spirit of Belfast, where most people rejoice in diversity.' The Belfast Islamic Centre in the south of the city. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey said the 'sinister' incident must be strongly condemned. She added: 'No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship, and my thoughts are with everyone affected. 'Acts like these, fuelled by hate, spread fear and division, and target people who have come to our communities to build a life and call this place home. 'It's vital that all political leaders speak out and stand united against this disgusting behaviour.' Green Party councillor Áine Groogan said she was 'horrified', describing it as a "cowardly and vicious act'.
