Downpatrick: Murdered man Stephen Brannigan was 'much loved'
In a death notice, Mr Brannigan was remembered as a "dearly beloved" father, a "much loved" father of two daughters and a "loving grandfather" of six.
Marian Park is a small housing estate high above Downpatrick, just off Saul Street and overlooking the playing fields at the Lecale Trinity school. On Monday, the outer police cordon was removed but at the top of the estate a police presence remained around the home where Mr Brannigan was found dead.
Speaking to BBC News NI on Monday, Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor Conor Galbraith said the victim was a local painter and decorator. "He was always just known as a quiet lad up in the Marion Park area and always willing to help out whenever the neighbours needed it," he said. He met the victim's two daughters on Sunday and described them as "totally, totally devastated". Hundreds of people attended a vigil in St Brigid's Church in Downpatrick on Sunday evening."That seemed to bring the community together to give them the opportunity to support one another as well," he said. "It was just really nice to see the community come together after such terrible incidents yesterday."
Bishop Alan McGuckian said he has not spoken to the Brannigan family yet, but added the local clergy is "looking out for them". "I hope to go to Downpatrick tomorrow, to see the family of Stephen Brannigan," Bishop McGuckian told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme. "I am going to say mass with the community and reach out to the family and to everyone who is so shocked by what has happened."
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