20 hours ago
John Caldwell: Man charged in connection with policeman shooting released on bail
A man charged in connection with the attempted murder of a senior police officer is to be released on bail, a High Court judge has Robinson, 45, is accused of involvement in moving a car used in the attempted murder of John Caldwell in Omagh, County Tyrone, in February 2023. The detective chief inspector was off duty when he was shot several times at a sports complex after coaching a youth football New IRA has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mr Caldwell was shot and seriously wounded in front of his son shortly after he finished coaching a youth football team at sports facilities on 22 February, men wearing dark waterproof clothing opened fire on the off-duty officer, who has since retired from the PSNI on medical grounds, striking him several would-be killers made their getaway in a Ford Fiesta, fitted with false number plates and later burnt out, before switching to another the New IRA claimed responsibility for attempting to kill Mr Caldwell, detectives believe other criminal factions joined forces with the terror grouping to target someone regarded as a joint Robinson, of Ardstewart in Stewartstown, County Tyrone, has been charged with preparation of terrorist acts and perverting the course of a circumstantial case, Crown counsel claimed he can be linked to two separate incidents where Mr Caldwell was court heard that a previous attempt to kill the policeman three weeks before the shooting failed because he was not at the sports Audi A6 car believed to have been part of that unsuccessful operation was later moved by a recovery lorry from a location in on CCTV and telephone evidence, it was claimed that Mr Robinson assisted in moving the also allegedly transported another suspect from Tyrone to Belfast to collect one of two Ford Fiestas which featured in the later attack on Mr claimed Mr Robinson could then be linked to an area at an industrial estate where another "operational vehicle" was set on fire following the shooting.A further part of the case relates to alleged "walk and talk" meetings with other suspects, the court Robinson denies any involvement in the events surrounding the murder lawyers have stressed he is not accused of taking part in the shooting of Mr Caldwell or being in Omagh at the time of the other co-accused already released from custody, Madam Justice McBride granted bail on strict prohibited Mr Robinson from contact with any other suspects and directed that a £5,000 cash surety must be lodged.
