Court Hears New IRA Planned Attack on Detective John Caldwell

The New IRA intended to attack Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell before he was seriously injured in a shooting on February 22, 2023, according to testimony presented in Dungannon Magistrates’ Court. During a hearing, two men, Caoimhin Murphy, 25, and Liam Robinson, 45, faced charges related to Caldwell’s attempted murder and other offenses. The prosecution outlined evidence suggesting that a previous attack was planned for February 1, 2023, but did not occur as Caldwell was not present at the youth sports site where he typically coached.

On February 22, while off duty and with his young son, Caldwell was shot multiple times after coaching a youth football team. The attack was later claimed by the New IRA, a dissident republican group. Following the incident, Caldwell retired from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on medical grounds. Several individuals have faced legal actions in connection with the shooting, underscoring the ongoing investigations into the incident.

Both Murphy and Robinson appeared in court via videolink from Musgrave Street police station in Belfast. They did not respond when asked if they understood the charges. A detective sergeant testified that he could connect both men to the offenses. The prosecution described the investigation as a “complex, circumstantial case,” emphasizing that previous charges had been made following the initial attack on Caldwell.

Details regarding the planned attack on February 1 emerged during the court proceedings. The detective sergeant stated that a Volkswagen Tiguan with false registration plates was spotted on CCTV entering the youth sports site, mirroring the movements of the vehicles involved in the later shooting. Evidence suggested that both men had been involved in moving vehicles connected to both attempted attacks, with allegations that Murphy assisted in burning a car after Caldwell was shot.

The sergeant explained that the shooting on February 22 was believed to have been coordinated by multiple active service units within the New IRA, specifically from the Belfast and Tyrone areas. Caldwell was shot later than initially planned, as he arrived at the sports complex earlier than usual. The attack occurred at approximately 20:00, an hour and a half later than the intended time.

Defense lawyers for both men argued against the prosecution’s claims. Peter Corrigan, representing Murphy, stated there was “not one iota” of surveillance evidence linking his client to any of the vehicles involved in the shooting. Meanwhile, Gavin Booth, representing Robinson, pointed out that it was not part of the prosecution’s case that his client had participated in the shooting.

The prosecution acknowledged the circumstantial nature of the case, suggesting that while some strands of evidence might be weaker, the accumulation of facts supports the connection of both defendants to the charges.

District Judge Rafferty expressed his satisfaction with the evidence linking both men to the offenses. Police opposed a bail application for Robinson, citing concerns about his role within the IRA. The detective sergeant stated that the New IRA had claimed responsibility for the attack, indicating a persistent threat to Caldwell’s life. The judge denied bail to Robinson, and both defendants were remanded in custody. Robinson is scheduled to appear in court again on September 2, while Murphy will return on August 20 for a bail application.

The ongoing investigation and the gravity of the charges reflect the serious nature of the threat posed by dissident republican groups in the region.