It leaves us 'shaken and upset' -- Bishop speaks out on shocking murder and attack
Fr. John Murray was struck on the head in a brutal attack at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick on Sunday. He was approached by a man who asked if he would hear his confession ahead of the morning service, and then attacked as shocked parishioners arrived for Mass.
Fr Murray was due to retire this week. Police said the attack may be linked to the death of a man in his 50s in Downpatrick, named locally as Stephen Brannigan. A 30-year-old man in police custody is being questioned on suspicion of murder after Mr Brannigan was found dead at an address in Marian Park at about noon on Sunday. A Mass was held for Fr Murray and Mr Brannigan's family at St Colmcille's Church in Downpatrick yesterday. Bishop McGuckian said the whole community has been 'shaken and upset deeply'. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
A Mass was held for Fr Murray and Mr Brannigan's family at St Colmcille's Church in Downpatrick yesterday. Bishop McGuckian said the whole community has been 'shaken and upset deeply'.
The Bishop of Down and Connor told those gathered: 'There's so many ways in which hearts can be stirred in moments like this. People carrying what-ifs and whatonly and so many other things like that. It's at times like this that we Christians are called to rely totally on the mercy of God. We are invited to have courage and not to fear.'
He added: 'At a moment like this, when so many people feel a great fear and a great sense of uncertainty, what is going on? What on Earth is happening to us? It is easier said than done, and it is not a once-off. On Sunday, when I heard the news, I was just going to the diocesan pilgrimage in Moneyglass and had to speak about hope – this is the jubilee of hope.' A community in Co. Down has been 'shaken and upset deeply' by the attack on a priest and the death of a man at the weekend, Bishop Alan McGuckian has said. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
The Mass was told it had been a 'traumatic and shocking' few days. Fr. John, a priest in the area for about 11 years, was about to start his final week in the parish when he was attacked.
Speaking after the Mass, Bishop McGuckian said: 'Hope only kicks in when things are really bad, when we cannot do it ourselves. The people of Downpatrick are being asked to face into dealing with a reality we cannot make sense of, we cannot handle. That courage is a call to hope, and I think that is exactly what we need to hear at this time.
'The thing that gave me the most consolation on Sunday was when I heard that hundreds of people had gathered spontaneously to pray for Stephen and Fr John; that gives me a sense that in this community there are the resources to really come together and be strong for one another. There are great people in this community.' Investigators issued an appeal for information. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
He said he hoped to meet with the Brannigan family in the coming days. He said Fr Murray is 'increasingly comfortable' in hospital.
Investigators issued an appeal for information. Detective Chief Inspector Gary Robinson said that at around 10.10am on Sunday, 'a man entered the church and brutally attacked the priest with a bottle', adding: 'The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a head injury. He remains in a serious, but stable, condition.'
He said that while attending the assault scene, police got a report of a man's death at an address in the Marian Park area.
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Sunday World
3 hours ago
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Funeral details announced for killed grandad Stephen Brannigan
His funeral will be held on Saturday, August 16 in St. Brigid's Church in Downpatrick and will be followed by interment in Struell Cemetery. The funeral of murder victim Stephen Brannigan will be held this weekend. The 56-year-old died following an incident in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick on Sunday. Mr Brannigan, a father and a grandfather, was pronounced dead at the scene after officers and ambulance service personnel were called to the property following a report of the death of a man at the address. The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 16 in St. Brigid's Church in Downpatrick and will be followed by interment in Struell Cemetery. Stephen Brannigan News in 90 Seconds - August 14th The chapel is the same place where a prayer vigil was held last Sunday evening after his body was discovered. Prayers at this gathering were also said for Fr John Murray, who had been assaulted with a bottle in the sacristy of St Patrick's Church. The elderly priest who was due to retire this week is reportedly 'progressing' in hospital. In the funeral notice, Mr Brannigan is remembered as a beloved father and grandfather. 'Dearly beloved husband of the late Dorenda, and much loved father of Gemma and Ciara, loving grandfather of Sophie, Lily, Connor, Clodagh, Holly and Ruairi, dear son of Gerry and Kathleen, and brother of Damien, Michelle, Adrian and Paul,' the funeral notice read. It added: 'Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects at his parents' home." Stephen Brannigan died after an attack in Downpatrick on Sunday (PSNI/PA) On Monday, Mr Brannigan's family thanked the local community for their support following his death. "We want to express our particular thanks to those who organised and gathered for the beautiful prayer vigil in St Brigid's Church in the town on Sunday evening,' they said. "It means so much to us at this difficult time and reflects the very special people who make up the Marian Park and wider Downpatrick community. "Stephen was known among his neighbours and friends as someone who was always willing to help out, ready to do whatever needed to be done for the good of others. "Even the day before he died, he was tending the graves of friends and neighbours, as he did, almost every day, the grave of his late wife Dorenda, who died five years ago from cancer. "Stephen faced many difficult issues in his life. We know his life was not perfect. But for us, he was our dad, our grandad, our son and our brother. "His rock through all of this was Dorenda. We pray they will be reunited now in perfect peace and love.' Hugh Malone appeared in court on Wednesday after being charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan, and attempted murder of Fr Murray. The 30-year-old appeared before Newtownards Magistrates' Court today via video-link from Belfast's Musgrave police station.
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Man charged with murder of grandad Stephen Brannigan and attempted murder of priest
Hugh Malone is accused of the murder of Stephen Brannigan and the attempted murder of Father John Murray Stephen Brannigan (left) and Fr John Murray (right) were attacked in Downpatrick on Sunday A man appeared in court today accused of murder and the attempted murder of a priest. Appearing at Newtownards Magistrates Court by video link from police custody, 30-year-old Hugh Malone confirmed his identity and when asked whether he understood the two charges against him, the told the clerk: 'Yes, I understand the charges Ma'am.' Malone, listed as no fixed abode, Belfast, is accused of the murder of Stephen Brannigan and the attempted murder of Father John Murray on 10 August this year. Stephen Brannigan (left) and Fr John Murray (right) were attacked in Downpatrick on Sunday The body of 56-year-old Mr Brannigan was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on Sunday afternoon and on the same day, Father Murray was attacked at St Patrick's Church in the town. It is understood that he remains in hospital having sustained a serious head injury. After serving the Diocese of Down and Conor for 50 years, Father Murray had been preparing to celebrate his last Mass before retirement at St Patrick's Church when he was attacked. In court today, a detective inspector gave evidence that she believed he could connect Malone to both charges. The senior officer agreed with defence counsel Sean Doherty that when Malone was being interviewed by police, he had the assistance of both an appropriate adult and a register intermediary, as well as his solicitor. Hugh Malone News in 90 Seconds - August 13th 'There is an obvious and very significant mental health context and that will be our focus moving forward,' he told the court. As there as no application for bail, Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter remanded Malone into custody, adjourning the case to 4 September. Mr Brannigan, a father and a grandfather, was pronounced dead at the scene after officers and ambulance service personnel called to the property following a report of the death of a man at the address. In statement, Mr Brannigan's family described him as a 'beloved dad and granddad' and thanked those who had 'surrounded us with such love and care' following his killing. They added: 'With so many others, we pray for his full recovery and thank him for his own prayers for us which he has conveyed through the priests of the parish.' A mass heard yesterday Fr Murray is 'getting stronger' while recovering in hospital where he had been in a serious condition. The special service was conducted by the Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian at St Colmcille's Church in support of the families of both Mr Brannigan and Fr Murray. It has been reported he had been approached by a man who asked him to hear his confession prior to being attacked. Fr Murray was preparing to conduct his last service as he was on the cusp of retirement from the priesthood and scheduled to step down this week.
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
It leaves us 'shaken and upset' -- Bishop speaks out on shocking murder and attack
A community in Co. Down has been 'shaken and upset deeply' by the attack on a priest and the death of a man at the weekend, Bishop Alan McGuckian has said. Fr. John Murray was struck on the head in a brutal attack at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick on Sunday. He was approached by a man who asked if he would hear his confession ahead of the morning service, and then attacked as shocked parishioners arrived for Mass. Fr Murray was due to retire this week. Police said the attack may be linked to the death of a man in his 50s in Downpatrick, named locally as Stephen Brannigan. A 30-year-old man in police custody is being questioned on suspicion of murder after Mr Brannigan was found dead at an address in Marian Park at about noon on Sunday. A Mass was held for Fr Murray and Mr Brannigan's family at St Colmcille's Church in Downpatrick yesterday. Bishop McGuckian said the whole community has been 'shaken and upset deeply'. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire A Mass was held for Fr Murray and Mr Brannigan's family at St Colmcille's Church in Downpatrick yesterday. Bishop McGuckian said the whole community has been 'shaken and upset deeply'. The Bishop of Down and Connor told those gathered: 'There's so many ways in which hearts can be stirred in moments like this. People carrying what-ifs and whatonly and so many other things like that. It's at times like this that we Christians are called to rely totally on the mercy of God. We are invited to have courage and not to fear.' He added: 'At a moment like this, when so many people feel a great fear and a great sense of uncertainty, what is going on? What on Earth is happening to us? It is easier said than done, and it is not a once-off. On Sunday, when I heard the news, I was just going to the diocesan pilgrimage in Moneyglass and had to speak about hope – this is the jubilee of hope.' A community in Co. Down has been 'shaken and upset deeply' by the attack on a priest and the death of a man at the weekend, Bishop Alan McGuckian has said. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire The Mass was told it had been a 'traumatic and shocking' few days. Fr. John, a priest in the area for about 11 years, was about to start his final week in the parish when he was attacked. Speaking after the Mass, Bishop McGuckian said: 'Hope only kicks in when things are really bad, when we cannot do it ourselves. The people of Downpatrick are being asked to face into dealing with a reality we cannot make sense of, we cannot handle. That courage is a call to hope, and I think that is exactly what we need to hear at this time. 'The thing that gave me the most consolation on Sunday was when I heard that hundreds of people had gathered spontaneously to pray for Stephen and Fr John; that gives me a sense that in this community there are the resources to really come together and be strong for one another. There are great people in this community.' Investigators issued an appeal for information. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire He said he hoped to meet with the Brannigan family in the coming days. He said Fr Murray is 'increasingly comfortable' in hospital. Investigators issued an appeal for information. Detective Chief Inspector Gary Robinson said that at around 10.10am on Sunday, 'a man entered the church and brutally attacked the priest with a bottle', adding: 'The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a head injury. He remains in a serious, but stable, condition.' He said that while attending the assault scene, police got a report of a man's death at an address in the Marian Park area.
