“Man charged in attempted murder of Det Ch Insp John Caldwell in Omagh”
Alan Lundy, 44, from Flax Street in Belfast, has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, who was shot at a sports complex in Omagh, County Tyrone, in February last year. Lundy is also charged with preparing terrorist acts and directing terrorism, with the court hearing that he was accused of directing the activities of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
The senior detective was off duty when he was attacked after coaching a youth football team. Lundy refused to respond to the court when the charges were read to him, and a detective sergeant from the serious crime branch told the court that police could connect Lundy to the charges. He stated that Lundy was “integral to the acquisition, storage, transport, and disposal of vehicles used in the attack of Mr. Caldwell,” and was involved in a series of meetings and conversations with other individuals connected to the case.
The case against Lundy is based on phone evidence, number plate recognition, CCTV, and a police interview in which the accused refused to comment. A solicitor representing Lundy claimed that the police had “created a narrative that is not supported by any evidence that this court can rely on to connect [Lundy] to these charges.”
The court also heard that there was an attempt to carry out an attack on Mr. Caldwell three weeks prior to the shooting, during a football training session that was unexpectedly canceled, causing Mr. Caldwell to not be present at the scene of the attack.
In a separate incident, three members of the public were removed from the court following a disturbance during the hearing. One man, who was identified to the court, shouted “justice” as they were escorted out. District Judge Michael Ranaghan said the individuals had “no respect for the court” and ordered that the man who shouted appear before him on Monday to apologize.
Mr. Lundy is due to reappear before the court in Omagh on 27 February.
This case has caused a stir in Northern Ireland due to its connections to the IRA, a paramilitary organization that was active during the Troubles, a period of conflict in Northern Ireland from the late 1960s to the late 1990s. The Troubles saw a high level of violence and tension between the nationalist and unionist communities in Northern Ireland, resulting in more than 3,500 deaths. The IRA, which sought to end British rule in Northern Ireland and reunite it with the Republic of Ireland, was responsible for numerous bombings, assassinations, and other attacks during this time. This history adds a significant layer of complexity and emotion to cases involving alleged IRA activity.
Read More Breaking News
