Three men have been arrested following the shooting of a senior police officer on Wednesday night in Northern Ireland.
The off-duty officer, named on Thursday as DCI John Caldwell, was shot by masked men in front of his young son several times while loading his car boot outside a sports centre in Omagh, County Tyrone.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) earlier said dissident republican group the New IRA was their primary focus.
The high-profile officer, who has led a number of major investigations, had just finished a coaching session with members of an under-15 football team, who also witnessed the attack and ran for cover in "sheer terror", said police.
DCI Caldwell tried to run from the gunmen but they continued firing, even after he had hit the ground.
Security sources told Reuters that two men opened fire shortly before 8pm. They are believed to have fled across the border to the Republic of Ireland.
PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said three men arrested, aged 38, 45 and 47, were detained in Omagh and Coalisland.
"They are currently being questioned by detectives at Musgrave serious crime suite."
He said DCI Caldwell underwent surgery overnight and remained in a critical condition on Thursday.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan told BBC Radio Ulster: “Last night at approximately 8 o’clock at the youth sports centre in Killyclogher Road, Omagh, whilst John was putting footballs into the boot of his car, and accompanied by his young son, two gunmen approached and we believe both have fired multiple shots.
"John has ran a short distance and he’s fallen to the ground, and as he’s on the ground the gunmen have continued to fire at him.
"That shows the absolute callous nature of this attack in a crowded space where there are children and parents in the vicinity, and we saw many of those young people and children running in sheer terror to get to safety.
"At least two other vehicles have been struck, and again this highlights the callous and reckless nature of this attack.”
He said the "primary focus" of the investigation was on "violent dissident republicans".
He said: "The investigation is at an early stage, we are keeping an open mind. There are multiple strands to that investigation.
"The primary focus is on violent dissident republicans and within that there is a primary focus as well on New IRA."
Police in the Republic of Ireland said they were assisting Northern Ireland police and had intensified patrolling in counties along the open border with Northern Ireland.
The Troubles and the New IRA
More than 3,000 people were killed during three decades of violence in Northern Ireland involving Irish republican and British loyalist paramilitaries and UK security forces.
The 1998 Good Friday peace accord largely ended the conflict, known as the Troubles.
Major Catholic and Protestant paramilitary groups gave up violence and disarmed, but small Irish Republican Army splinter groups continued to mount sporadic attacks. The New IRA is one of them.
The splinter group formed after the disarmament of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which sought to end British rule in Northern Ireland, but declared a final ceasefire in July 1997. Its political wing, Sinn Fein, was subsequently admitted into peace talks, which led to the Good Friday agreement.
In a New Year's message, the New IRA pledged to “use all means at its disposal" to end British rule.
"As we enter 2023 Ireland remains under occupation and our national sovereignty is denied by a foreign government," it said.
"The Irish Republican Army will use all means at its disposal to break this bondage. Volunteers of the Irish Republican Army and its leadership are determined to spearhead this action."
A 'grotesque act of attempted murder'
Politicians from both sides of Ireland’s political divide have condemned the shooting.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was appalled by the “disgraceful shooting of an off-duty police officer in Omagh”.
“My thoughts are with the officer and his family,” he said. “There is no place in our society for those who seek to harm public servants protecting communities.”
Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar condemned the “grotesque act of attempted murder”.
“Our thoughts are with the injured officer, his family, colleagues and friends at this difficult time,” he said.
“I utterly condemn this grotesque act of attempted murder. I call on anyone with information about it to share it with the PSNI.”
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill said it was an “outrageous and shameful attack”.
“Terrible news this evening of an off-duty police officer being shot in Killyclogher, Omagh,” she said.
“This is an outrageous and shameful attack. My immediate thoughts are with the officer and his family. I unreservedly condemn this reprehensible attempt to murder a police officer.”
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said those responsible must be brought to justice.
“I am aware of the shocking incident in Omagh tonight and am being kept up to date,” he said.
“My immediate thoughts are with the PSNI officer and his family. Those responsible for such horror must be brought to justice.”
Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin said he was “shocked and appalled”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues in these difficult first hours. I urge anyone with information to go to the authorities,” he said.
Pro-UK Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson said: “Terrible news from Omagh tonight. Our heart goes out to the family of this courageous police officer and to his colleagues.
“We condemn outright the cowards responsible for this. These terrorists have nothing to offer and they must be brought to justice. We stand with the PSNI.”
Omagh is the site of Northern Ireland’s deadliest attack, an August 1998 car bombing that killed 29 people. A dissident republican group called the Real IRA claimed responsibility for that attack.
In April 2021, a bomb was left near a police officer's car outside her home in Northern Ireland in what police said was an attempt to kill her.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (11.30pm)
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
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Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
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Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
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Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
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Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
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“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
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