Categories: World

7 appear in Northern Irish court for policeman’s attempted murder

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for May 29

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

Seven men appeared in court Monday on charges of attempted murder related to the February attack on a senior Northern Ireland police officer who was shot after his son’s soccer practice.

The suspects, ranging in age from 28 to 72, appeared by video link at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court about 45 miles west of Belfast. They were ordered to remain in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was seriously wounded when gunmen opened fire on him at a sports complex in Omagh as he put soccer balls into the trunk of his car after coaching an under-15 team.

OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICER SHOT, INJURED IN NORTHERN IRELAND

A dissident splinter group of the Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for the Feb. 22 attack on Caldwell, who has led investigations into killings, organized crime and paramilitary groups.

Seven men appeared in a Northern Irish court Monday, standing accused of attempted murder for shooting and seriously injuring a police officer in February. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The shooting came less than two months before the 25th anniversary of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which largely ended the sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. Although the main Catholic and Protestant paramilitary groups gave up violence and put down their weapons, IRA splinter groups continue to mount sporadic attacks on security forces.

POLICE CAR FIREBOMBED DURING NORTHERN IRELAND PROTEST

Politicians from across Ireland’s political divide, including the Irish nationalist party Sinn Féin — which was allied with the IRA during decades of Catholic-Protestant violence — condemned the attack on Caldwell.

Caldwell, who was hospitalized for several weeks after the shooting, made a public appearance during a garden party during King Charles III’s visit to Northern Ireland last week.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said Saturday that seven men had been charged with attempted murder in connection with the attack on Caldwell. Two of the suspects were also charged with membership in a proscribed organization, namely the IRA, and three charged with the preparation of terrorist acts.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Omagh, about 60 miles west of Belfast, was the site of the deadliest attack during “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland, an August 1998 car bombing that killed 29 people. A dissident republican group called the Real IRA claimed responsibility for that attack.

Share

Recent Posts

Washington girl, 4, ‘dragged’ by coyote just inches from door amid string of alarming encounters: report

close Video Coyote caught chilling out in front yard in rare security camera footage A…

2 hours ago

Missing Connecticut girl found alive 25 years after kidnapping with help from DNA testing

close Video New Haven police find missing girl in Mexico after she was abducted in…

2 hours ago

US military shoots down Houthi drones as Trump’s strikes against terrorist group continue

close Video Houthi drones shot down by U.S. forces, senior official says Fox News correspondent…

4 hours ago

Report: Jewish Tesla owner ‘speechless’ after Jewish Musk-hater finger-traces swastika on his Cybertruck

close Video Environmental Progress founder rips Tesla vandals: 'Democrats are really lost' Michael Shellenberger, founder…

4 hours ago

Man set on fire in heart of New York City’s Times Square, suspect at large: report

close Video NYPD searching for suspect who lit man on fire in Times Square A…

4 hours ago

Trump thanks El Salvador for taking in alleged gang members deported from US: ‘We will not forget’

President Donald Trump thanked El Salvador on Sunday after the country's president shared dramatic video…

5 hours ago