A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a man from Derry, who was left in a vegetative state after a sectarian attack in 2006.

Paul McCauley was attacked by a loyalist mob while attending a barbecue in the Waterside area of the city.

He was 30 at the time and had never regained consciousness.

Mr McCauley suffered multiple injuries, including a brain haemorrhage and a fractured skull, as well as two heart attacks on the way to Altnagelvin Hospital.

The only person convicted in connection with the attack was Daryl Proctor, who was given a 12-year jail term.

He was released in February this year.

In 2014, PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton apologised to the McCauley family for not bringing more people to justice for the attack.