John Caldwell claim of responsibility accused denied bail to attend gym

John Caldwell survived being shot several times after gunmen targeted him while he was off duty

A man charged in connection with the claim of responsibility for the shooting of Det Ch Insp John Caldwell has failed in a bid to vary his bail to allow him to attend the gym.

Londonderry Magistrates' Court was also told the variation would allow Tiernan McFadden to see his family.

The 26-year-old is charged with one count of possessing a document for use in terrorism namely a claim of responsibility for the shooting.

Det Ch Insp Caldwell was shot in Omagh.

He was loading footballs into the back of his car after a youth football coaching session on 22 February when he was attacked.

On Monday, a lawyer for Mr McFadden said his client was seeking an extension of a curfew imposed earlier in the year.

Opposing the extension, a police officer told the court that Mr McFadden, from Carnhill in Londonderry, was a "leading member" of the youth wing of Saoradh, which he said was "a front for the New IRA".

He said Mr McFadden had a leading role in the youth wing and organised meeting and events.

Police, the officer added, believed Mr McFadden wanted the extension of his curfew to allow him to engage in that activity.

The officer said the group recruited young people to get involved in "community activities" and then they could be recruited into the New IRA.

He also told the court that police believed Mr McFadden had been the main person involved in the claim of responsibility.

It appeared on a piece of paper stuck on a wall in the Creggan area of Derry on 26 February.

Dismissing the variation in bail, District Judge Barney McElholm said Mr McFadden's partner had recently had a baby and he should be spending time with her and the child rather than going to the gym.