Police in Northern Ireland have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man nine years after he was severely brain damaged in a “vicious” unprovoked sectarian attack.
Civil servant Paul McCauley was 30 when he was attacked following a barbecue with friends in the Waterside in Derry in July 2006.
Mr McCauley suffered severe injuries when a group of about 15 men burst into the back garden of a house and set upon him.
He never regained full consciousness.
Mr McCauley died during the early hours of Saturday morning at a care unit in Derry with family around him.
Following his death, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they had commenced a murder investigation.
Throughout the course of the police investigation detectives have arrested and questioned more than two dozen people, but just one man was jailed for his part in the assault.
Daryl Proctor was convicted for the 2006 attack and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was released from jail in February of this year.
Last year PSNI chief constable George Hamilton apologised to Mr McCauley's family for more people not being brought to justice.
Senior Investigating Officer DCI Michael Harvey said the family have conducted themselves with “great dignity” since the “vicious” attack on Mr McCauley and his friends, adding: “The love and care they gave to Paul have been a beacon of light in a tragically dark set of circumstances.
“In memory of Paul, for the McCauley family and in the interests of justice, police stand ready to explore any opportunities provided either by a change in circumstances or a qualm of conscience.”
Stormont Environment Minister and Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said his
“”thoughts and prayers are with McCauley family even more today”.
“Paul has lost his fight for life but we must not give up the fight for justice,” he wrote on Twitter.
Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson said Mr McCauley was “a young father with his whole life in front of him, was cruelly robbed of his future during a frenzied attack that caused devastating injuries”.
“The fact is that up to 15 people were involved in the attempt to murder Paul and his friends, and their identities are well known in their community,” she said.
“There is an onus on everyone, particularly elected representatives, to encourage those with information about the attack to come forward so that those responsible can be brought to justice.”
Additional reporting - PA