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PSNI officer John Caldwell discharged from hospital

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot several times at a sports centre in Omagh in February
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot several times at a sports centre in Omagh in February

A senior officer shot and critically injured by dissident republicans in February, has been released from hospital, the PSNI has said.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell went home today to continue his recovery.

He was shot a number of times in front of scores of people as he finished taking a football training session for underage youths at a sports complex in Omagh.

The so-called New IRA claimed responsibility for the shooting.

Mr Caldwell's young son was among those who witnessed the attack on 22 February.

In a statement, the police appealed for privacy for the injured officer.

"The Police Service of Northern Ireland can confirm that Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was discharged from hospital today, Thursday 20 April, to continue his recovery," it said.

"We would ask that John and his family are given privacy at this time."

The British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Mr Caldwell in hospital in recent days.

Mr Sunak told those attending events to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement that the senior detective told him Northern Ireland should never be allowed to slide back into violence.

Detectives have made a series of arrests in connection with the attempted murder and carried out numerous searches.

All the suspects - around 16 in total so far - have been released without charge.