A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective shot in front of his young son was aware of several threats to his life before he was attacked, a court heard.

Seven men have been remanded in custody after appearing before a court charged with the attempted murder of detective chief inspector John Caldwell who was shot several times outside a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone, in February.

Mr Caldwell had been coaching a youth football match and was with his young son at the time of the attack.

The so-called New IRA claimed responsibility for the shooting, with police investigating whether the dissident republican group may have been assisted by members of a criminal gang.

The seven accused who appeared via videolink at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning were: Jonathan McGinty, 28, of St Julians Downs, Omagh; Brian Carron, 38, of Claremount Drive, Coalisland; Gavin Coyle, 45, of Killybrack Mews, Omagh; Matthew McLean, 33, Glenpark Road, Omagh; Robert McLean, 29, Deverney Park, Omagh; James Ivor McLean, 72, of Deverney Park, Omagh; and Alan McFarland, 47, of Deverney Park, Omagh.

Mr Carron and Mr Coyle stand further accused of belonging to a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA.

Mr McGinty, Mr McFarland and Matthew McLean are also charged with preparation of terrorist acts.