An off-duty detective from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) was shot by dissident republicans two months ago, but he has now been discharged from hospital. The incident has once again highlighted the ongoing threat posed by violent dissident groups in Northern Ireland, despite the Good Friday Agreement that brought an end to the Troubles over two decades ago. The detective’s survival is a testament to the resilience of the PSNI and the bravery of its officers who continue to work tirelessly to keep the community safe. In this article, we will examine the implications of this attack on the PSNI and explore the long-term impact of dissident republicans on the peace process in Northern Ireland.
Police detective chief inspector John Caldwell has been discharged from hospital two months after being shot multiple times by dissident republicans in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. The off-duty officer was targeted outside a sports complex on February 22nd, as he was putting footballs into the back of his car, in front of his son, after coaching an Under-15 Beragh Swifts soccer team. DCI Caldwell suffered life-changing injuries and had been critically ill in Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry where he continued to recover until his recent release. Caldwell was well known in Omagh for his cross-community work through sport and his support drew a crowd of more than 1,000 people to a public rally in the town.
The New IRA remain the main line of inquiry for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigations. To date, 15 people have been detained, but no charges have been made. The PSNI has assured the public that they are “working relentlessly” to bring the culprits to justice.
The political establishment widely condemned the attack, and police were able to rely on the support of their Irish counterparts. PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne confirmed that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had given a “complete assurance” that he “stands strongly with us” in investigating the attempted murder. Border patrols were increased by the Garda to aid the PSNI investigations.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also visited Mr. Caldwell in the hospital last week. Speaking at a dinner at Hillsborough Castle, marking the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement, Sunak said Caldwell expressed that Northern Ireland could not revert to its violent past. “We can’t go back,” Sunak paraphrased Caldwell. “If there is one message from this hall tonight, one message from the people of Northern Ireland to the world, it is surely this: we will never go back.”
DCI Caldwell has been a member of the PSNI for 26 years and worked on several murder investigations, including the killings of Co Armagh woman Natalie McNally in December and PSNI constable Ronan Kerr by dissident republicans in Omagh in 2011.
The attack highlights the ongoing risk of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, which has continued despite the Good Friday agreement of 1998. The accord brought an end to more than three decades of sectarian conflict that claimed over 3,500 lives, but tensions remain across the community, particularly as the UK is due to leave the EU. The Brexit process has raised concerns about borders and trade agreements with the Republic of Ireland given its history of political tension and trade barriers. The return of a strong, hard-border in lieu of a flexible arrangement could reignite hostilities between the communities, with Sinn Féin abstaining from the Northern Irish Assembly and violence lingering in the background.
