Two women and nine men have been arrested by police investigating the attempted murder of a top detective gunned down in an attack linked to the New IRA. 

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot multiple times at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone in February.

The shooting – which dissident republican group the New IRA claimed responsibility for – happened while his young son was by his side.

Eleven people, aged between 21 and 72, were arrested on Friday morning under the Terrorism Act in Omagh and Coalisland in Co Tyrone as part of a  ‘significant search and arrest operation’ by Police Service of Northern Ireland‘s (PSNI). 

The suspects have been taken to the PSNI’s serious crime suite in Musgrave police station in Belfast for questioning.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot multiple times at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone in February. He is pictured on May 24 meeting the King in Northern Ireland

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot multiple times at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone in February. He is pictured on May 24 meeting the King in Northern Ireland

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot multiple times at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone in February. He is pictured on May 24 meeting the King in Northern Ireland 

He was shot several times at the sports centre after coaching a youth football team. Pictured is the sports centre.

He was shot several times at the sports centre after coaching a youth football team. Pictured is the sports centre.

He was shot several times at the sports centre after coaching a youth football team. Pictured is the sports centre.

Eleven people, aged between 21 and 72, were arrested on Friday morning under the Terrorism Act in Omagh and Coalisland in Co Tyrone

Eleven people, aged between 21 and 72, were arrested on Friday morning under the Terrorism Act in Omagh and Coalisland in Co Tyrone

Eleven people, aged between 21 and 72, were arrested on Friday morning under the Terrorism Act in Omagh and Coalisland in Co Tyrone

Mr Caldwell was seriously injured after he was shot several times at the sports centre after coaching a youth football team. 

Earlier this week the senior detective attended a garden party in Co Down with the King and Queen. The event was the first time Mr Caldwell had appeared in public since the attack.

It is understood he had a private audience with the King ahead of the event.

Camilla also spent some minutes speaking with Mr Caldwell during the garden party at Hillsborough Castle.

Detectives investigating the shooting of Mr Caldwell have seized an estimated 400,000 hours of CCTV footage from 750 cameras.

The two Ford Fiestas used in the attack were later found burned out. They had been bought weeks before the attack 70 miles away from the shooting.

The New IRA claimed responsibility but the PSNI believe they may have been aided by an organised crime gang. 

Forensic police pictured at the scene of the shooting in February 2023

Forensic police pictured at the scene of the shooting in February 2023

Forensic police pictured at the scene of the shooting in February 2023 

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