Eighth man charged with attempting to murder John Caldwell

A 44-YEAR-OLD man has appeared before a special court sitting charged with attempting to murder Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell
as he coached a youth football team.

It was disclosed there may have been a
prior attempt to carry out the attack around three weeks beforehand, however the football practice had been cancelled that night.

As the one year mark of the attack approaches, Alan Lundy from Flax Street, Belfast, is also accused of directing terrorism and preparation of terrorist acts.

A detective sergeant from the PSNI Serious Crime Branch told Dungannon Magistrates Court the charges against Lundy could be connected, adding it is believed he is, “integral to the purchase, storage and disposal of vehicles.”

These were sourced in a number of places including Belfast and stored before being moved to Tyrone.

There were also alleged meetings between Lundy and other key figures involved, including those currently charged with the attack.

The detective spoke of a potential 13 incidents in the seven weeks prior to attack “potentially linked”.

He continued, “We do not say the defendant was at the scene of the attack, nor was in possession of any firearm used in the incident.”

In interviews lasting a total of 7 hours 44 minutes, Lundy gave no comment or explanation for any of the allegations put to him.

It was further confirmed his phone has not been recovered.

Judge Ranaghan remanded Lundy in custody to appear by video-link at Omagh Magistrates Court at a future date.

Lundy’s arrest brings the total number of people facing charges in connection with the shooting to 11 and the eighth accused of attempted murder.

The attack, which occurred at Omagh Youth Sport Centre on 22 February 2023, was claimed by the New IRA and allegedly involved organised criminality.

Lundy is the eighth person to be charged with attempting to murder DCI Caldwell, the other seven being Robert McLean (29) of Deveney Park, Omagh, James Ivor McLean (72) of the same address, Matthew McLean (33), Glenpark
Road, Omagh, Jonathan McGinty (28) of St Julians Downs, Omagh, Brian Carron (38) of Claremount Drive, Coalisland, Gavin Coyle (45) of Killybrack Mews, Omagh and Alan McFarland (47) of Deverney Park, Omagh.

Carron and Coyle are further accused of belonging to the IRA.

In addition, James Gerard McSorley (58) from Chichester Mews, Belfast, John Andrew Gallagher (45) from Church Drive, Newtownabbey and Tony Thomas Slevin (47) from Derryloughan Road, Coalisland are charged with preparing for acts of terrorism in relation to a Ford Fiesta believed to have been used in the attack.

Slevin had been granted bail after a time in custody however this was recently revoked after police discovered he had a suspected “burner phone”.

In the aftermath of the shooting, the assailants fled in a blue Ford Fiesta, which was later found burnt out near Racolpa Road in Omagh.

They then reportedly switched to a black Mercedes, which drove them to Deverney Park where they went to the rear of a house then left again in a
white Transit Van

Both weapons used in the attack are still unaccounted for.