New impetus in Mc Cauley assault case five years after vicious attack

On the fifth anniversary of a sectarian assault in Derry, which left 34-year-old Paul McCauley in a vegetative state, police are renewing their appeal for information.
Following an internal review, detectives from Serious Crime Branch are now re-investigating the assault, which took place on open ground at the back of a house in Chapel Road in the early hours of 16 July 2006.
Police say they have new information, and they are now going back into the community in a bid to obtain more, with house-to-house enquiries over the coming days and a leaflet drop in the Irish Street area and the Fountain estate.
Paul Mc Cauley was attending a summer barbeque at the rear of a house in Chapel Road on 15 July 2006.
Only three people remained whenh, at 3.20am.  group of up to 15 people came from out of the bushes and attacked Paul and two of his friends. After the assault the group made off in the direction of Irish Street.
One man is currently serving a 12-year sentence for his part in the assault.
The renewed appeal has been made with the backing of Paul’s father, Jim, who said the family was still waiting for answers and for justice.
He says Paul remains in a minimally responsive state, unable to move or communicate. He says it’s  heart-breaking for the family, particularly when most of those involved in the attack are still walking about.