PSNI officer John Caldwell who was shot in Omagh discharged from hospital

A senior PSNI officer who was shot in Co Tyrone in February has been discharged from hospital.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot several times at a sports centre in Omagh in an attack which has been blamed on dissident republicans.

Police confirmed he was discharged from hospital on Thursday "to continue his recovery".

John Caldwell was critically ill for some time at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry, and has been left with life-changing injuries.

Police have blamed the New IRA for the attack which they are treating as attempted murder.

Political leaders were united in condemnation of the shooting while there were also public rallies in solidarity with Chief Constable Simon Byrne and Mr Caldwell's family.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, visited Mr Caldwell in hospital last week.

Speaking at a dinner at Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday night, Mr Sunak said Mr Caldwell told him that Northern Ireland cannot go back to its violent past.

"We sat together and talked about the society he loves and about his ordeal. He told me, 'we can't go back'," Mr Sunak said.

"We can't go back. If there is one message from this hall tonight, one message from the people of Northern Ireland to the world, it is surely this: we will never go back."

In a statement the PSNI said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland can confirm that Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was discharged from hospital today, Thursday April 20, to continue his recovery.

"We would ask that John and his family are given privacy at this time."

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