Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Paul McCauley at home earlier this year. He is in an unresponsive state. PSNI

Five arrests over assault that left man in vegetative state

The four men and one woman were arrested in connection with an assault on Paul McCauley, who was attacked after a barbeque in 2006.

FIVE PEOPLE HAVE been arrested during a PSNI investigation into an attack that left a young man in a vegetative state.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch investigating the attempted murder of Paul McCauley on 16 July 2006 in Derry said they arrested four men and a woman this morning.

Three men – aged 22, 42 and 49 – and a woman aged 40 were arrested in Derry. A fourth man (24) was arrested in the Midlands in England. They are in the process of being questioned at police stations in Derry.

Three houses were searched in Derry and the individuals were detained at houses in the Fountain estate and Kilfennan.

In July, police renewed their appeal for information on the incident in which McCauley (34), a Catholic civil servant and father of one, was viciously attacked.

One man is currently serving a 12-year sentence for the assault, but police believe that as many as 15 people were involved.

Paul was attending a summer barbecue at a house on 15 July 2006. By 3.20am on 16 July, only three people remained.

A group of up to 15 people came out from the bushes and attacked Paul and two of his friends, before making off in the direction of Irish Street.

Police say the investigation remains active and ongoing and detectives have again appealed “for those with information about what happened that night on open ground at the back of a house in Chapel Road to come forward and talk to police”.

Anyone with information is asked to ring 0845 600 8000 or anonymously contact Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111.

Read: Appeal for information on assualt in Derry>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
Aoife Barry
View 6 comments
Close
6 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds