Mary Lou McDonald, Michelle O'Neill, political leaders condemn attack in Omagh

In response to the shooting of PSNI Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said, "This attack of an off duty police officer is shameful, shocking and unacceptable. Thoughts and prayers with the officer and his family. We stand in solidarity with them tonight."

Sinn Féin Vice President and First Minister (Designate) Michelle O'Neill said, "Terrible news this evening of an off-duty police officer being shot in Kilyclogher, Omagh. This is an outrageous and shameful attack. My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family.

I unreservedly condemn this reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer."

On Thursday morning, a joint statement was released and signed by Michelle O’Neill MLA, Sinn Féin Vice-President, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, DUP Leader, Naomi Long MLA, Leader of the Alliance Party for Northern Ireland, Doug Beattie MLA, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, and Colum Eastwood MP, Leader of the Social Democratic & Labour Party.

The statement reads: “We extend our heartfelt solidarity to DCI John Caldwell and his family after yesterday evening’s cowardly gun attack which has left him critically injured.

Our thoughts are with John and his family and we wish him a full recovery.

We stand united in our outright condemnation of this attack after he was shot in Omagh, Co. Tyrone yesterday evening in front of his son and other children and young people at a sports facility.

We speak for the overwhelming majority of people right across our community who are outraged and sickened by this reprehensible and callous attempted murder.

The community of Omagh has endured profound suffering, loss, and pain in the past which has left a deep trauma, and so this act of violence has left people there rightly angered.

There is absolutely no tolerance for such attacks by the enemies of our peace.

Those responsible must be brought to justice.

This will require the full co-operation of the public whom we call upon to assist police in this attempted murder investigation.

Together we stand with John’s family and his colleagues in the police service at this time.”