Two men County Tyrone men charged in connection with the attempted murder of former DCI John Caldwell have been granted bail.
The now-retired senior officer was shot whilst coaching a youth football team at a sports complex in Omagh on 22 February 2023.
It has since been disclosed a previous failed attempt was made around two weeks beforehand at the same premises.
In the aftermath the New IRA claimed responsibility for the attack.
Until a fortnight ago, 14 men were charged in connection with the incident of which seven are accused of attempted murder, and the rest face various related allegations.
That number has now claimed to 16 with the addition of Liam Robinson (45) of Ardstewart, Stewartstown and Caoimhin Murphy (25) of Altowen Park Coalisland who are jointly charged with preparing for acts of terrorism and perverting the course of justice by destroying a Ford Fiesta.
The pair appeared by video-link from police custody and refused to respond when the charges were put to them.
A detective sergeant said the charges could be connected.
He explained both men are believed to have moved vehicles in the incidents, including the aborted attempt.
Accepting the cases against them are “complex and circumstantial” the detective advised evidence was gathered from an extensive, countrywide trawl of CCTV footage, cell-site analysis charting phone inactivity at specific times and number-plate recognition of vehicle movements.
A defence solicitor for Murphy contended there is no evidence of him being involved in the shooting or getting into or out of any of vehicles involved, nor are there any linked DNA fibres.
Robinson’s defence made similar points, adding there was no CCTV at the industrial estate where one of the cars was found burnt out.
While Murphy did not initially apply for bail, Robinson did, which was opposed with the detective stating both men are linked to Saoradh, which police describe as the political voice of the New IRA.
In addition, Robinson is currently under investigation for alleged participation in an illegal republican parade in Creggan, Derry/Londonderry, which was linked to the New IRA.
He was described as having, “A record of inciting violence, including threats to kill a police officer in 2022. He has a mindset that is sympathetic to violent republican activity”.
While District Judge Francis Rafferty refused bail stating risks of reoffending were real, this was overturned at appeal at High Court.
Murphy mounted a bail application at the most recent sitting of Dungannon Magistrates Court, which the prosecution conceded would be difficult to oppose given Robinson’s release.
Judge Raffferty agreed and imposed strict conditions, mirroring those imposed for Robinson, including a £5000 surety, electronic tagging, refraining from leaving Northern Ireland, no contact with any co-accused, and no visiting of anyone in prison.
Murphy must report daily to police and provide the registration of any vehicle in which he intends to travel.
He must not contact any person charged with, on bail for or convicted of terrorist, firearms or explosives offences and must not enter any building used or operated by Saoradh, nor attend any meeting, rally or demonstration relating to dissident republican political activities, including those relating to prisoners.
One mobile phone with internet access is permitted which must not have any software-deleting capability, and he must present it to police on request along with any PIN or locking code.
He must not record images of police, prison officers, court staff or members of the legal profession and he must not stand on any platform at any meeting organised by any political group or organisation supportive of dissident republican activity.
Murphy confirmed he understood all conditions and will appear again along with all other accused in the case at Omagh Magistrates Court on 2 September.
