Posted online: Jul 19th, 2011

THE father of a Derry man left in a permanent coma after a sectarian attack five years ago has spoken of his struggle to come to terms with what happened to his son.

Father-of-one, Paul McCauley, was attacked by a group of up to 15 people on July 16, 2006 while attending a friend’s barbecue in the Chapel Road.

Paul, who was aged 29 at the time, suffered severe head injuries including a brain haemorrhage and a fractured skull. He will remain in hospital for the rest of his life.

Daryl Proctor, 21, is the only person to date to have been convicted in relation to the attack. He received 12 years imprisonment.

Jim McCauley, Paul’s father, spoke to the Derry News on Friday following a police conference that revealed further information has been brought forward on the case.

“It’s five years on and we’re very glad that the police have reviewed the case and have passed it on to the Serious Crimes Squad; we feel that there was some impetus for the review and we’re quite confident with the new DCI handling it that there will be successful outcomes,” he said.

“It’s been a long haul for the police. Our frustration was matched with the police’s frustration but we’re delighted that the new inquiry is underway and we have every faith that there will be a successful outcome.”

Mr McCauley revealed his family only recently found the strength to visit the scene where Paul was assaulted.

“We’ve only gone to the site where it happened once and that was last year.

“It took us four years before we could even go down to see where it happened. And the BBC documentary, we’ve only watched that once on the night it went out.”

Visibly upset, Mr McCauley continued: “It can hit you at times, you can talk about it most of the times but occasionally it will just hit you.

“It’s quite difficult. It’s not the Paul we knew, it’s a different Paul; it’s a Paul that can’t communicate, it’s an immobile Paul, he’s basically a living image of Paul.

“The frustration comes from the fact that we have no communication with him but all the family spend a lot of time with him. It’s a nightmare.”

Mr McCauley said he is optimistic that the renewed police appeal for information will be a success.

“I’m sure the police will handle the information confidentially.

“There are not just a few people out there; there are the core of attackers, there are the supporters who transported them to the scene, there are the people who egged them on in the attack, there are the people who provided facilities for them to clean up after, there are the people who concocted alibis to protect them, there are the people who destroyed evidence.

“So, there re a lot of people associated with the crime and I think that people like that should come to the police’s door before the police go to their door.

“The police are closing in on them, they’ve got additional information now and they’re closing in on them.”

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison appealed to the local community, particularly in the Bann Drive, Irish Street, Fountain and Kilfennan areas of the city.

“Paul deserves answers and there are people within the community that have those answers,” he said.

“New information has come to light. I have information that would suggest who was involved. I’m in a more informed position than the initial inquiry was and I believe this is an opportunity to get justice for Paul.

“I’ve visited Paul in hospital and have seen the devastating injuries. At the time Paul was 29 years old with his whole life ahead of him and now his body has become his prison.

“I’ve seen the devastating effect it has had on his family. This matter cannot lie.

“I have a good idea of the names and identities of the people involved, many of whom still reside in the local area.

“If you have information, please bring it forward to me. People know who is responsible and they’ve escaped justice to date – Paul McCauley remains in hospital and his life has been taken away from him.”

If you have any information about the attack please ring the designated phone line on 02871 379793.