By Harry Hutchinson in Northern Ireland
After the attempt on his life in Omagh last week, PSNI Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell remains in hospital in a critical condition. He was a high profile officer dealing with drug-related cases that are linked to paramilitaries and it is unknown whether the attack on his life is related to his investigations or had a political motive.
Six men are held in custody and although some of them are said to be from a Protestant background who have become involved with dissident Republicans, and the focus of police inquiries is around dissident Republican groups.
The attack took place at a sporting venue in Omagh, as Caldwell was off duty and coaching a youth football team. His attack was witnessed by his son. Caldwell was hit several times but managed to escape.
In 1998, the ‘Real IRA’ carried out the deadliest attack of the troubles, with a car bomb in the centre of Omagh that left 29 dead. For many, this recent gun attack brought back the horror of that earlier Omagh atrocity almost a quarter of a century ago.
Republican dissident groups
The Provisional IRA, which was the main Republican paramilitary during most of the period of the ‘troubles’ from the early 1970s onwards, ended its ‘armed struggle’ after agreeing the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. However, dissident Republicans have vowed to continue.
The ‘Continuity IRA’ announced its existence and commenced occasional attacks on police officers. In 2012, Republican Action Against Drugs and smaller Republican groups merged with the ‘Real IRA’ (not the Continuity). In addition, a group calling itself Oglaigh na nEreann emerged, who were behind the killing of journalist Lyra McKee in 2019.
Over the last 6 years there have been 17 bomb attacks on police and gun attacks on prison officers. This is a relatively low level of attacks, compared to the period of the ‘troubles’ and reflects the fact that MI5 has probably significantly infiltrated the Republican movement.
No going back!
This attack on John Caldwell caused widespread dismay and anger among working people in Northern Ireland. A protest rally was organised last weekend by the Omagh Trades Council, under the slogan ‘No going back’ and it brought a thousand people to the centre of Omagh (photograph above). The rally was to send a clear message to the paramilitaries that workers are not going to stand by and let violence return to Northern Ireland like the worst days of the troubles.
The rally also sent a message to the main parties in Stormont, that stalemate we have had since the collapse of the Assembly can create opportunities for paramilitaries to fill the political vacuum. The paramilitaries are still there and they are recruiting youth who have seen no ‘peace dividend’ since the Good Friday Agreement, in any meaningful way.
The onus is on socialist groups to come together and, linked to the trade union movement, to advance a socialist agenda that can tackle the day to day problems faced by workers in Northern Ireland, problems like living standards, housing and health.
