Bail refused for latest person to face Caldwell shooting charges

THE latest person to be charged with attempting to murder DCI John Caldwell as he coached a youth football team outside Omagh over a year ago has been refused bail.

Alan Lundy (44), from Flax Street, Belfast, is also accused of preparing for terrorist acts and is the only person of the 14 defendants allegedly involved to be charged with directing a terrorist organisation.

At an earlier hearing, it was disclosed there was a previous attempt to attack DCI Caldwell three weeks before the incident on February 22, 2023, as a particular car was spotted in the Youth Sport area in Omagh, however training was cancelled that night.

Opposing bail, prosecuting counsel contended Lundy was “integral to the acquisition, storage and disposal of vehicles used in the attack. They were either purchased or stored in Belfast before being supplied to those involved on the direction of the defendant.”

The court heard Lundy is allegedly the New IRA commanding officer in Belfast and co-accused Brian Carron, who is also charged with attempted murder, is his Tyrone counterpart.

It is alleged Lundy was involved in meetings with others connected to the attack. It was disclosed seven mobile phones were seized during a search of Lundy’s property but no access codes were provided. In addition, a phone he is suspected of using around the time of the attack has not been found.

Around ten days after the shooting a protest was held outside Palace Barracks, by a group which met in West Belfast beforehand, with footage showing Carron and Lundy in discussions.

During this, “Carron is seen re-enacting a shooting with a man holding his arms up which was indicative of the pose adopted by DCI Caldwell during the attempt on his life. This detail was not public knowledge at that time.”

Defence counsel, however, argued bail should be granted as there is no evidence connecting Lundy to the attack and “this is at best an inherently weak prosecution case, based upon supposition and inference”.

After consideration, District Judge Michael Ranaghan refused bail, stating, “The prosecution rely on a web of evidence which the defence says amounts to nothing as his the defendant’s only connection is association with those accused of the miserable cowardly and vicious attack on DCI Caldwell. The defendant has links to both the attack and the earlier aborted attempt.

“Those holding the beliefs of the IRA represent a risk to the wider public but primarily police.”