Man appears in court accused of destroying car used in shooting

Det Ch Insp John Caldwell was shot several times while off-duty in February 2023

A 73-year-old man has appeared in court accused of helping to destroy one of the cars used in the attempted murder of Det Ch Insp John Caldwell.

The senior detective was off-duty when he was shot several times at a sports complex after coaching a youth football team in Omagh, County Tyrone in February 2023.

John Charles Coleman, of Lake View Cottages in Ardboe, appeared at Strabane Magistrates' Court on Thursday via videolink from police custody charged with preparation of terrorist acts and perverting the course of justice.

He confirmed he understood the charges against him.

A police officer told the court that the gunmen were believed to have fled in a Ford Fiesta – which was set on fire after the shooting – while a second Ford Fiesta was driven to Ardboe in County Tyrone and found burnt out the following day.

The court was told Mr Coleman was accused of helping to prepare the attack and destroy the vehicle that was driven to Ardboe.

He was arrested by police on 10 November and the detective in court said he mainly gave "no comment" answers to questions except for one occasion when he said he had seen the vehicle on fire from his house.

When shown CCTV that refuted this he gave no further comment.

Denied knowing anyone in the IRA

Mr Coleman also denied knowing anyone in the IRA but police said they knew he had visited another suspect – who is charged with the attempted murder of Det Ch Insp Caldwell – in prison.

Police said the defendant was seen attending a meeting with the same suspect on the day of the attack, which they contend was to make arrangements for disposal of the Fiesta.

Mr Coleman is accused of making numerous attempts to contact scrapyards following the shooting but after this attempt to dispose of the car was unsuccessful, the decision was made to set it on fire.

CCTV indicated two people moved the Fiesta a short distance before setting it on fire in Ardboe.

The court heard Mr Coleman's vehicle travelled to that area and was sighted at a nearby shop, where he was observed as the driver.

Police contend he drove the two people who set fire to the Fiesta away from the scene of the blaze.

The defendant was released on bail subject to a curfew and a number of other restrictions including not contacting anyone in relation to the shooting of Det Ch Insp Caldwell, only being allowed one mobile phone with internet access and surrendering his passport.