Police officer shot in Northern Ireland

Police have launched an investigation into attempted murder in Omagh, Northern Ireland, after an off-duty police officer was shot.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot multiple times by two attackers and is in a critical, but stable condition in hospital.

At the time of the shooting, he was putting balls back in his car after coaching a young people's football session. He was accompanied by his son.

There were children, parents and coaches there at the time.

According to Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan, the primary focus of the police investigation is on violent dissident republicans, along with the New IRA.

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland said the attack was an: "appalling and barbaric act of violence on an off-duty officer".

"Our thoughts are with our colleague and his family. These gunmen offer nothing to society. Anyone with information should come forward."

Three men aged 38, 45 and 47 have been arrested over the attack. They were detained in Omagh and Coalisland.

Image: User: (WT-shared) Paul. at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 , via Wikimedia Commons