Derry Bishops condemn attempted murder of PSNI officer as 'callous and evil'
Local Church leaders in Derry have condemned the attempted murder of a senior police officer at a sports complex in Omagh on Wednesday evening as 'wholly unjustifiable and appalling act'.
The senior police officer has been named as Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell.
Mr Caldwell remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the attack on Wednesday evening.
The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Right Reverend Andrew Forster, said: “The attempted murder of a PSNI officer in Omagh, on Wednesday evening, was a crime against God and a crime against man.
“The attack was callous and evil and will be condemned by all right-thinking people. There is no justification for this kind of violence in our society.
"The fact that this happened in close proximity to children highlights the wickedness and recklessness of the perpetrators.
“I offer my prayers for the injured officer and his family, and pledge my support to his colleagues in the PSNI.
"I appeal to anyone with any knowledge about this crime to give the information to the police.”
Bishop of Derry, Most Rev Dr Donal McKeown, said: “The attempted murder of the police officer last evening in Omagh is a wholly unjustifiable and appalling act.
"There can be no excuse for any attack on members of the PSNI and they deserve our support.
"Police officers carry out their duties on behalf of the whole community.
“My prayers are with the injured police officer and his family and those who are caring for him at this time.”