Charges dropped against man accused of murder bid on senior police officer

One of the men accused of the attempted murder of a senior police officer in County Tyrone in February 2023 has had the charges against him withdrawn.

Det Ch Insp John Caldwell was off-duty when he was shot several times at a sports complex after coaching a youth football team in Omagh.

The New IRA has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Alan McFarland, 50, of Deverney Park in Omagh, had been charged with attempted murder and the preparation of terrorist acts. The charges against him were withdrawn at Omagh Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Caldwell retired from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on medical grounds in December 2024.

He was recognised in the King's Birthday Honours in 2023 and later awarded the King's Police Medal for distinguished services in the police force.