John Caldwell: Three men in court linked to gun attack on policeman

Det Ch Insp John Caldwell survived being shot several times after gunmen targeted him at a youth football coaching session

Three men have been charged in court with terrorism offences linked to the attempted murder of Police Service of Northern Ireland officer John Caldwell.

Det Ch Insp Caldwell was shot several times in front of his teenage son and the boy's young friends in February.

Tony Slevin, John Gallagher and James McSorley were charged with preparation of terrorist acts - charges linked to cars allegedly used in the shooting.

The trio were remanded in custody by Dungannon Magistrates' Court.

Defences lawyers criticised the quality of police evidence against the three accused, claiming it was circumstantial.

Det Ch Insp Caldwell was severely injured in the gun attack in Omagh, County Tyrone, on the evening of 22 February.

The off-duty detective had just finished coaching a youth football team and was putting footballs into his car when masked gunmen approached him.

'Provided cars used in attack'

The court hear Mr Slevin was accused of assisting in the transport and provision of a Ford Fiesta car which police said was involved in the build up to the attack on Det Ch Insp Caldwell.

The 47-year-old from Derryloughan Avenue in Coalisland, County Tyrone, faces a single charge.

Mr Gallagher, 45, of Church Drive, Newtownabbey, and 58-year-old James Gerard McSorley of Chichester Mews in Belfast, are both further charged with possession of articles for use in terrorism and providing property for the purpose of terrorism.

They are both accused of handing over a Ford Fiesta car linked to the shooting, and providing the vehicle knowing or suspecting it may be used for terrorism purposes.

A detective inspector told the court he could connect the three to the charges.

He said the police case was that a number of cars were used in the attempted murder of Det Ch Insp Caldwell, including two blue Ford Fiestas both with false number plates.

The vehicles were captured on CCTV in convoy travelling with a black Mercedes in the direction of the sports complex in Omagh where the shooting took place.

The officer was shot in the grounds of the Youth Sport Omagh complex on 22 February

Both Ford Fiestas were found burnt out in the hours after the attack.

The officer said the police case was that the three men were linked to those cars, and investigators had uncovered CCTV footage and communication data between the accused.

'Speculation rather than evidence'

Prosecuting counsel said there was "clear evidence" that the accused carried out "important logistical support" to those who carried out the attack.

A lawyer acting for Mr Gallagher said his client had not left Belfast on the day of the attack and described the case against him as "extremely tenuous".

He said his client was a mechanic who often sold cars.

A lawyer for Mr Slevin said the police case against his client was evidentially weak and he had played no part in the attack in Omagh.

Mr McSorley's lawyer said the police were relying on theory and speculation rather than evidence to connect his client to the attack.

District Judge Ranaghan said it was a complex and intricate police investigation, with a largely circumstantial case being built against the three accused.

But he said the evidence detailed to the court was sufficient to connect the three men with the charges they face.

All three men were remanded in custody and are due to appear in court again later this month.