Man Charged with Attempted Murder of Former PSNI Detective to Be Released
A man charged with the attempted murder of a former senior Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective will be released from custody following a ruling by a High Court judge.
Brian Carron, aged 41, was granted bail under strict conditions after spending three years on remand in prison in connection with the alleged attempt to murder John Caldwell.
Caldwell, who was off-duty at the time, was shot multiple times at a sports complex in Omagh after coaching a youth football team. He retired from the PSNI on medical grounds in December 2024.
The New IRA claimed responsibility for the attack, though other criminal groups are believed to have assisted in targeting Caldwell, who was regarded as a common enemy by these factions.
Carron, from Claremount Drive in Coalisland, County Tyrone, is one of several men charged with the attempted murder. In addition to this charge, he faces an accusation of membership in a proscribed organisation.
During court proceedings, it was revealed that the case against Carron is primarily based on evidence including vehicle movements, CCTV footage, associations with other suspects, and a period of telephone inactivity around the time of the shooting.
Prosecutors also presented evidence that a beanie cap seized from Carron's residence after the attack contained cartridge discharge residue.
The prosecution opposed bail, arguing that Carron posed too great a risk to public safety.
In defense, Des Fahy KC contended that the evidence against Carron is circumstantial and less substantial compared to the cases against other accused individuals involved in the attempted murder.
"Based on delays in the case, Mr Fahy described his continued detention as unjustified."
Mr Justice Huddleston ruled that the time had come for Carron to be released on bail, subject to a series of conditions designed to mitigate any potential risk.
The judge ordered Carron to lodge £15,000 in cash sureties, report daily to the police, surrender all travel documents, and prohibited him from contacting any co-accused individuals.
Additionally, the judge mandated that Carron accept a job offer within the construction industry and barred him from entering the town of Omagh.
