Man arrested over sectarian murder of Paul McCauley

A man has been arrested over the sectarian murder of a civil servant in Northern Ireland.

Paul McCauley, a Catholic, spent almost a decade in a vegetative state after being beaten by loyalists in Derry’s Waterside area in 2006. He died in June aged 38.

A 28-year-old suspect was detained in Belfast on Sunday night. He is from Derry, police said.

The officer leading the investigation, PSNI detective chief inspector Michael Harvey, said the police investigation into the murder was active and appealed for those with information to come forward.

Father-of-one Mr McCauley was 29 when he attended a barbecue for a friend who was moving away from Northern Ireland.

A gang of up to 15 people emerged from nearby bushes and attacked him and two friends as they were clearing up after the meal in the early hours of the morning.

He suffered severe head injuries.

Mr McCauley’s family has pursued a long campaign for justice.

Piper John McClements, 24, previously known as Daryl Proctor, from the Fountain area of Derry, has been charged with the civil servant’s murder.

A total of 13 people have been arrested since the victim’s death.

PA