DCI John Caldwell in hospital after New IRA murder bid in February
Detective Chief Inspector Caldwell (48) was shot multiple times by masked gunmen while putting footballs into his car after coaching young people at football at a sports complex at Omagh’s Killyclogher Road on February 22.
He remains in a serious condition in hospital.
Days later a typed statement linking dissident republican group the New IRA to the shooting appeared on a shop wall in Derry’s Creggan.
In its first statement since the attack the group said on Monday it is “committed to achieving what the republic declared on the steps of the GPO (General Post Office) in Easter 1916”.
“We have consolidated our base and extended our international links,” the statement said.
“We will continue to obtain and develop the best weaponry that we can to pursue this struggle vigorously and energetically.”
The statement, which was signed T O’Neill, added: “The IRA have stated in the past that we will continue to move forward on our objectives.
“We have constantly set those targets with a number of successful operations carried out recently.”
The paramilitary group said it would continue to organise.
“We continue to recruit, train and target the occupying forces,” the statement said.
“We will not be found wanting when it comes to executing the struggle.”
SDLP Policing Board and assembly member Mark H Durkan hit out at the statement and said:
“History has shown us that violence doesn’t work, the wider political context now also clearly shows a pathway to a new Ireland and if anything the violence that we have seen from this organisation and others is actually counter productive in that regard,” said the Foyle MLA.
“I would appeal to them to renounce violence and join with the wider nationalist movement in pursuing their objectives through peaceful means.”
Mr Durkan added they were attacking “police officers whose job it is to protect and serve everyone here”.
“They are actually trying to deny people that protection and service, which is not very republican.”
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