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Derry man Paul McCauley, who was left in a vegetative state after a sectarian attack in 2006, has died.

Mr McCauley died in the early hours of Saturday morning in a care unit in Derry. His family was at the unit with him.

Paul McCauley and his friends were attending a barbecue at a house at Chapel Road in Derry in the early hours of July 16, 2006, when they were set upon by a sectarian gang.

Paul, who was 30 at the time, suffered horrific head injuries after being savagely beaten by the gang of youths, including a brain haemorrhage and a fractured skull. He never regained consciousness.

He also had two heart attacks on the way to Altnagelvin Hospital.

The father of one was being cared for at a specialist nursing unit, where he required round the clock care.

To date, only one person has been convicted for his part in the attack. Daryl Proctor, from the Fountain Estate in Derry, was jailed for 12 years in 2009, after he pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr McCauley. He was released in February of this year.

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

SDLP MLA for Foyle Mark H Durkan has expressed sympathy with the family of Paul McCauley following his sad passing.

“I would like to express my sympathy for and solidarity with the McCauley family at this time. They have endured a torrid 9 years watching their son suffer in a manner few of us can imagine," he said.

“Their pain has been compounded by the failure to see justice done. All but one of the perpetrators of this sickening sectarian crime have evaded the law.

"Today may not be the time to dwell on the shortcomings of the police investigation into this incident but we must get behind the McCauley family in their campaign to see justice for Paul.

“I was at school with Paul and know what a gentle being he was That his life has been destroyed and that those responsible are still walking the streets is very difficult to take," he added.

Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson has also expressed her condolences to the McCauley family following the death of Paul.

Ms Anderson said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul McCauley. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, his parents Jim and Cathy, his daughter Maeve, and all his family and friends.

"It is almost nine years since their lives were shattered by the brutal sectarian attack on their much-loved son in July 2006.

"Paul, 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.

"Jim McCauley, Paul’s father often referred to the wall of silence within the unionist community.

"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.

"That would send a positive and reassuring message to the McCauley family and, indeed, the wider community of Foyle."