028 7137 9793: McAuley enquiry line launched

THREE men arrested on Monday in connection with the attack on Paul McAuley, in which they left him for dead, have been released on bail pending further enquiries. The arrests came just days after police relaunched their appeal for information on the assault, revealing that they have appointed a new man to head up the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison, who revealed that new information “had come to light” and believed he knew the identities of those responsible.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Jul 2011, 10:05 BST

Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday a PSNI spokesman revealed that the three men arrested on Monday in relation to the attempted murder of Mr McCauley on July 16, 2006, had been released on bail pending further enquiries. They are all in their 20s and all were arrested in various parts of the City.

At Friday’s relaunch DCI Harrison appealed for anyone with information to contact him, saying he believed that there was “a significant number of other people” involved in the attack on 29-year-old Paul McAuley, at the barbecue in the Waterside, and that all of those involved were from Londonderry.

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“On July 16, 2006, Paul McAuley was subjected to a serious and vicious assault. This is five years on, and my appeal is to the local community. I believe there are people out there who know the identity of the other persons involved in the assault. One person was convicted in 2009, however, I believe there are a significant number of other people who were involved. I have carried out a review of the initial investigation and believe there are now opportunities to identify and hopefully bring other persons before the court.

“To do that I need the assistance of the local community, especially the people who reside in the Irish Street area, the Fountain and also the people of the Kilfennan estate area. People know who were responsible. They have escaped justice to date, but Paul McAuley remains in hospital. His life has been taken away from him and his family are now caring for him. Paul deserves answers and there are people within the community who have those answers.

“I have set up a dedicated telephone line on 028 7137 9793 and I would appeal for people to come forward and give me the answers so that I can get justice for Paul,” he said.

DCI Harrison continued: “I have a good idea of the names and the identities of the people and many of them still reside in this local area. I am sure they have discussed what happened in 2006 ,they may feel as if they have escaped justice, however, I will endeavour to carry on the investigation.”

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Urging people not to shield the attackers, he said: “There was conversation at the time. There were people assisted away from the scene following the devastating assault on Paul. I believe there are people who are sheltering those responsible. I believe there are people who are discussing it and they may believe it has gone away, but it hasn’t, so I would appeal to the local community give me the answers that I need. Who were involved? What did they do? What have they said about the assault on Paul?

“I have carried out a review over a number of months now and new information has come to light. I am not able to discuss it, however, I have information which would suggest who was involved.”

Anyone with infomration is urged to contact DCI Harrison at Strabd Road Police Station, to use the new enquiry line on 028 7137 9793 or speak in confidence to the freephone Crimestoppers team on 0800 555 111.