PSNI ‘making up’ for earlier inquiry, says victim’s father

The father of Paul McCauley, the 36-year-old Derry man who died on Saturday nine years after he was the victim of a sectarian attack by loyalists, has said he is "very confident" some of those responsible will now be prosecuted for his murder.

Paul McCauley’s body has been removed for postmortem from the care home where he lived in a minimal state of consciousness since 2006, after sustaining catastrophic head injuries in the unprovoked attack.

James McCauley said he is satisfied Chief Constable George Hamilton has taken a personal interest in the case and the PSNI is “making up for the earlier inadequate investigation”. It is understood a number of senior loyalist figures in the city, connected with the UDA, were involved.

The PSNI has indicated there are known suspects and has repeatedly called for information.

The PSNI confirmed it is investigating Mr McCauley’s murder following his death. About 15 people are believed to have taken part in the attack in Waterside, but despite a number of arrests over the years, just one person was convicted.

Daryl Proctor, who was 15 years old at the time, pleaded guilty in 2009 to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on Mr McCauley, and to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on Mark Lynch and attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm on Gavin Mullin. Proctor was given a 12-year sentence but was released after six years.

Peaceful

“We were with Paul when he died. I was holding his head and my wife, Cathy, Paul’s mother, was holding his hands. Other family members were there as well and we were able to pray together. It was very peaceful and tranquil,” said James McCauley. “We have a certain amount of relief that our son has escaped from pain, but there is very great sorrow as well.”

In 2006, Paul McCauley was a civil servant with a seven-year-old daughter. He was a member of the Foyle Search and Rescue team.

Gang

He was one of three friends tidying up after a barbecue on the night of July 16th, 2006, when a gang of men and women, some of whom had been at a band parade earlier that day, attacked. McCauley was struck by a branch and his head was trampled and kicked repeatedly. He was not expected to survive and never regained consciousness.

Following a complaint by the McCauleys to the Policing Board, an internal review of the original investigation made 42 recommendations, and the PSNI apologised to the family last year. “It is a matter of continuing concern and disappointment that one of the most evil crimes committed in Derry has not been acknowledged by people in the community from which these killers came, and in which they are still being harboured,” said James McCauley.