On the 20th anniversary of a fatal sectarian attack in Derry, Church of Ireland Bishop Andrew Forster has renewed calls for all those responsible to face justice. Paul McCauley died in June 2015 after spending nearly nine years in a vegetative state following the assault.

Mr McCauley, a father of one, was attacked at a barbecue in the Waterside area on July 16, 2006. Police described the incident as an unprovoked sectarian attack. He suffered severe head injuries and never regained consciousness.

Two men were sentenced in December 2018 for their roles in the killing. John McClements, then aged 28 and previously known as Daryl Proctor, pleaded guilty to murder and received a life sentence with a minimum tariff. Matthew Gillon, then 31, admitted manslaughter and was given a ten-year sentence, half to be served in custody and half on licence.

Detectives have maintained that other individuals were involved and believe their identities are known within the local community. On the anniversary, Bishop Forster said the family had endured long suffering and deserved to see all perpetrators held to account.

He described the violence as unjustifiable and said society must reject all forms of sectarianism. He appealed for anyone with information to come forward and help ensure justice.

A PSNI spokesperson said that with the passage of time, loyalties may have changed, and urged those with knowledge to contact police. Even a small piece of information could be significant, the spokesperson added.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.