A judge has described the killing of Catholic civil servant, Paul McCauley as one of the most "brutal, sectarian" attacks in a long list.
District Judge, John Meehan was speaking as Piper John McClements (24) – formerly known as Daryl Proctor – appeared at a special sitting of Derry Magistrate’s court on Saturday charged with Mr McCauley’s murder.
McClements was released on bail with strict conditions to appear back at the same court on August 13.
A father-of-one, Mr McCauley (38) died last month after remaining in a persistent vegetative state for nine years after he was assaulted while attending a barbecue in Derry in 2006. The murder charge against McClements is date June 6 this year, the date of Mr McCauley’s death.
The court was told McClements previously served a prison sentence on a charge of GBH with intent relating to the incident in which Mr McCauley was attacked.
District Judge Meehan was told the murder charge against McClements was unique in Northern Ireland legal history as no-one convicted of GBH had ever subsequently been charged with murder arising from the same incident.
A number of McClements’ family members from the nearby Fountain estate attended Saturday’s hearing.
The accused spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the charge against him. He listening intently from the dock to what was being said.
A police constable told the court McClements made no comment during two days of interviews since his arrest in the Fountain on Thursday last.
Opposing bail, the officer said police feared McClements might interfere with witnesses and also had concerns for the accused’s own personal safety.
However, the defendant’s lawyer, Don Mahoney said police had not identified any specific threat against his client. He said the accused had not breached conditions from 2006 to 2009 while he was on bail charged with GBH with intent.
Mr Mahoney said the police position was that Mr McCauley died as a result of the injuries suffered in the 2006 attack.
He said: "What it would appear now to be must more a case of in relation to him is more of a medical question and whether or not the injuries that were sustained back in 2006 were in fact the cause of death."
District Judge Meehan described the assault on Mr McCauley as "one of the most brutal, sectarian attacks in a long catalogue."
He said: "There are disturbingly and to this day many others who were involved in the brutal circumstances leading to the death of the unfortunate victim."
Among the bail conditions imposed on the accused are that he must observe a curfew from 8pm to 7am; must not drink or be on a licensed premises; must not approach the McCauley family and must not enter Derry’s Waterside except to travel through it.
Following the hearing, McClements made his way back to the nearby Fountain estate with his head covered by a hoodie to avoid waiting photographers and camera crews.
