Joint statement from the political leaders on the attempted murder of police officer John Caldwell

The North's political leaders have issued a joint statement on the attempted murder of PSNI officer John Caldwell.

They said: "We extend our heartfelt solidarity to DCI John Caldwell and his family after yesterday evening’s cowardly gun attack which has left him critically injured.

"Our thoughts are with John and his family and we wish him a full recovery.

"We stand united in our outright condemnation of this attack after he was shot in Omagh, County Tyrone yesterday evening in front of his son and other children and young people at a sports facility.

"We speak for the overwhelming majority of people right across our community who are outraged and sickened by this reprehensible and callous attempted murder.

"The community of Omagh has endured profound suffering, loss, and pain in the past which has left a deep trauma, and so this act of violence has left people there rightly angered.

"There is absolutely no tolerance for such attacks by the enemies of our peace.

"Those responsible must be brought to justice.

"This will require the full co-operation of the public whom we call upon to assist police in this attempted murder investigation.

"Together we stand with John’s family and his colleagues in the police service at this time."

The statement was signed by: Michelle O’Neill MLA, Sinn Féin Vice-President; Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, DUP Leader; Naomi Long MLA, Leader of the Alliance Party for Northern Ireland; Doug Beattie MLA, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party; and Colum Eastwood MP, Leader of the Social Democratic & Labour Party.