A statement linking dissident republican group the New IRA to the shooting of senior PSNI officer John Caldwell has appeared on a wall in Derry.
The printed statement, which was signed “T. O’Neill”, referred to last Wednesday’s shooting of Detective Chief Inspector Caldwell at a sports complex at Omagh’s Killyclogher Road.
The officer remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the attack, which occurred in front of his son after he had been coaching a youth soccer team.
In the as-yet unverified statement which appeared on Sunday, with images shared on social media, the group describing itself as the “Irish Republican Army” said it was claiming responsibility “for the military operation targeting senior Crown Force member John Caldwell”.
It read: “An active service unit of the IRA were in position to target the enemy within our chosen kill zone with other volunteers giving cover.
“All volunteers returned to base safely.
“Irish Republican Army intelligence are now in possession of security information regarding the out of bounds movement of Crown forces personnel.”
The message concluded: “We would say this, you will still have to try and live normal family life day to day, one of those days the IRA will be waiting.”
The name “T O’Neill” has been used by the New IRA in relation to previous incidents.
Police have said the New IRA group is their “primary line of enquiry” into the shooting, while officers are continuing to appeal for information following last week’s gun attack.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Major Investigation Team detectives continue to ask for the public’s help and would appeal to witnesses or those with information to please get in touch by calling 101 or online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.”
