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Paul McCauley murder: Father believes UDA were involved | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The father of a Londonderry man who died following a sectarian attack in 2006 has said he believes the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) was involved in the attack. | |
Paul McCauley, 38, died on Saturday in a care unit in Derry. | |
The civil servant was 30 when he was attacked by a mob at a barbecue in the Waterside in 2006. | |
His father said the hate perpetrated on Paul by a gang is a "massive stain on some people in the loyalist community". | |
Only one person has been convicted over the attack, although up to 15 people are believed to have been involved. | Only one person has been convicted over the attack, although up to 15 people are believed to have been involved. |
The investigation into the attack has now become a murder investigation. | The investigation into the attack has now become a murder investigation. |
'Sense of peace' | 'Sense of peace' |
Mr McCauley told BBC Radio Foyle that his son was left in a "horrific condition". | Mr McCauley told BBC Radio Foyle that his son was left in a "horrific condition". |
"Paul was imprisoned within his own body. He needed 24/7 care and was fed through a tube," he said. | "Paul was imprisoned within his own body. He needed 24/7 care and was fed through a tube," he said. |
"Paul was often in pain. This has been one of the most cruel crimes in Northern Ireland. | "Paul was often in pain. This has been one of the most cruel crimes in Northern Ireland. |
"There is a sense of peace now that we know Paul is in a better place." | |
"We believe the UDA were behind it and they have caused us so much grief. | "We believe the UDA were behind it and they have caused us so much grief. |
"To have to wait in a dying process, where you know there is no recovery, is an appalling way to leave anyone." | "To have to wait in a dying process, where you know there is no recovery, is an appalling way to leave anyone." |
"The hate that was perpetrated on Paul by a gang is a massive stain, not only on who did it, but on part of the loyalist community who know what happened. " | "The hate that was perpetrated on Paul by a gang is a massive stain, not only on who did it, but on part of the loyalist community who know what happened. " |
Mr McCauley said his son had been deteriorating since Easter. | Mr McCauley said his son had been deteriorating since Easter. |
"The end came quicker than expected," he said. | "The end came quicker than expected," he said. |
"We all sat with Paul on Friday night and we are happy that we were so close to him. | "We all sat with Paul on Friday night and we are happy that we were so close to him. |
"Kathy, my wife, was holding his hand when he passed away. | |
"There is no bitterness, but we have a real drive for justice." | "There is no bitterness, but we have a real drive for justice." |
He urged anyone with information to come forward. | He urged anyone with information to come forward. |
"I don't think part of the loyalist community here have done enough. I would prefer a louder voice," he said. | "I don't think part of the loyalist community here have done enough. I would prefer a louder voice," he said. |
"These attackers are people who thought that they could disappear into the night. I'm certain that the commitment of the current investigation team will get answers. | "These attackers are people who thought that they could disappear into the night. I'm certain that the commitment of the current investigation team will get answers. |
"Community leaders must have the courage to assist the police." | "Community leaders must have the courage to assist the police." |
Mr McCauley suffered multiple injuries, including a brain haemorrhage and a fractured skull, when he and two friends were beaten by a gang of youths. | Mr McCauley suffered multiple injuries, including a brain haemorrhage and a fractured skull, when he and two friends were beaten by a gang of youths. |
'Shielding the murderers' | 'Shielding the murderers' |
Politicians have been calling for justice for the family. | Politicians have been calling for justice for the family. |
The DUP's William Hay said: "I can't imagine what this family has gone through. | The DUP's William Hay said: "I can't imagine what this family has gone through. |
"I do believe there are people out there shielding the murderers of this young man. | "I do believe there are people out there shielding the murderers of this young man. |
"I would appeal to the police and the public to double their efforts in order to get justice for this family." | |
Foyle MP Mark Durkan said he hoped people with information about the attack would come forward. | Foyle MP Mark Durkan said he hoped people with information about the attack would come forward. |
"You have to hope at this stage that something would move people," he said. | "You have to hope at this stage that something would move people," he said. |