Downpatrick community ‘shaken and deeply upset', mass told, as assaulted priest ‘progressing' in hospital
Father John Murray was struck on the head in the town on Sunday. He is recovering in hospital.
A man in his 30s continues to be questioned over murder and attempted murder.
This morning hundreds of shocked parishioners gathered in a show of support for those affected by the weekend incidents.
Shortly before mass on Sunday, Fr Murray was approached by a man in his 30s in a distressed state, reportedly shouting and crying out in St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick.
Police have said they are investigating a link to the murder of local grandfather Stephen Brannigan, who was found in the Marian Park area of the town on the same day. It is understood that the suspect in his 30s was a neighbour of the deceased.
It is reported the man sought to have Fr Murray hear his confession in the sacristy.
However, the suspect is said to have assaulted the priest by hitting him on the head with a bottle. Fr Murray sustained a serious head injury and is being treated in a hospital in Belfast.
Fr Murray was due to retire on Thursday, and had been preparing to celebrate his last mass as parish priest.
This morning's mass was celebrated by Bishop McGuckian in St Colmcille's Churchin support of the Brannigan family and for Fr Murray.
The bishop said: "There's so many ways in which hearts can be stirred in moments like this.
"People carrying what-ifs and what-only and so many other things like that.
"It's a 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.
"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.
"Everyone at times must feel a terrible sense of uncertainty, like walking on water.
"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.
"That's another invitation to you this morning, in spite of the terrible things we have to bear, we are a people of hope.
"Our hope does not come from ourselves, if it came from ourselves we would throw it up. It comes from beyond us, it comes from the one who says courage it is I, do not be afraid."
Those at the mass were told it has been a "traumatic and shocking" few days.
Among those who attended the mass was former SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie, who is from Downpatrick. She said people wanted to show their support for those affected.
"First of all I want to offer my sympathy and my condolences to the Brannigan family on the sad death and passing of Stephen in such tragic circumstances,' she said.
'Of course I know Fr John, he has been parish priest here for the last 11 years and he provided excellent pastoral stewardship in the very big Catholic parish of Downpatrick.
"He has been very strong on ecumenical relations, particularly here with the Church of Ireland cathedral in Downpatrick.
"So for all of those reasons I wanted to come here today to show that support, that solidarity with Fr John and wish him a very speedy recovery.'
Speaking before the mass, Fr Martin Graham said there was a lot of shock at recent events.
'From what we understand [his condition] is comfortable and stable. And that is all we have been told,' said Fr Graham told Good Morning Ulster.
'He is progressing. There is a family grieving as well, there are two daughters, there is a dad, there are grandchildren grieving their grandad.
'It is important for us to remember the Brannigan family in all of this. That they get support, they have the support of the parish as well.
'The mass this morning is going to be a very simple, gentle mass. The bishop will offer it to support people of the town, to support the Brannigan family.
'Downpatrick, like every other town, has its problems. But the level of violence that took place on Sunday really upset the people of Downpatrick.
'That's why, even on Sunday evening, the parishioners themselves came together in St Brigid's Church to pray for an support each other.'
Police at the scene of Downpatrick murder
On Monday night the family of Mr Brannigan released a statement outlining their sense of loss.
Fr Graham added: 'They [the family] were willing to make that statement last night, it was absolutely heart-breaking but also so wonderful that they were able to sit down and compose something, which is so difficult to write at the best of times, but to write that in these circumstances, it was just so beautiful of them.
'Fr Murray would have been really appreciative of it, as they are appreciative of the fact that he is also praying for them.'People went to mass that Sunday morning expecting to say goodbye to him and put their arm around him to say goodbye and I think, please God, he will be able to come back and join them for another mass just where they can be able to show them the love that they have for him.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
11 hours ago
- Sky News
Who is Jimmy Lai? 'Prisoner of conscience' who has endured 1,600 days behind bars
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been in a high-security prison for more than 1,600 days. The 77-year-old was arrested over his role in pro-democracy protests in 2019 and has since been charged with various offences, including collusion with foreign forces, as well as sedition under colonial-era laws. His trial for alleged national security offences has faced lengthy delays, but is due to restart in Hong Kong on Thursday. Here is everything you need to know about the "world's most famous prisoner of conscience" and his trial, as it draws ever closer to a long-awaited conclusion. Who is Jimmy Lai? Lai was born in mainland China but fled to Hong Kong at the age of 12, after stowing away on a fishing boat. Here, he began working as a child labourer in a garment factory. He went on to build a fortune with the fashion empire Giordano and, after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, when thousands of people protested for political reforms in Beijing, he became a democracy advocate and turned his hand to newspapers. Ahead of the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from the UK to China, he started the Chinese-language newspaper Apple Daily in an attempt to maintain freedom of speech. The paper was staunchly pro-democratic and did not shy away from criticising authorities in Beijing. Around the same time, in 1994, he became a full British citizen. He has never held a Chinese or Hong Kong passport, but is seen as a Chinese citizen by Hong Kong authorities. Why is he in jail? It was his pro-democratic beliefs that led to Lai becoming a key figure in the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, spurred by Beijing's tightening squeeze on wide-ranging freedoms. Lai's Apple Daily newspaper backed the protesters, criticising the government reforms. Lai and his sons were arrested in August 2020 after police raided the offices of the Apple Daily publisher, Next Digital. He was granted bail, but this was overturned in December of the same year, when Lai was charged with fraud. He was charged under the very national security laws, put in place in 2020, that he had protested. The charges include collusion with foreign forces, as well as conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications. Lai has been in solitary confinement for most of his imprisonment. During this time, he has lost a significant amount of weight and his son, Sebastien Lai, has consistently raised concerns for his father's declining health. His legal team has claimed he has been denied independent medical care for diabetes, is only allowed out of his cell for 50 minutes a day and, as a devout Catholic, has been denied the Eucharist. However, this week the South China Morning Post has reported a Hong Kong government spokesman saying that Lai had received appropriate treatment and welfare in prison. What has happened during his trial so far? After years of delay, Lai's national security trial started in December 2023. Prosecutors allege that Lai conspired with senior executives at Apple Daily to publish 161 seditious articles intended to incite hatred toward the central or Hong Kong governments. They labelled him a "radical political figure" and accused him of asking the US and other foreign countries to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and mainland China. The charges he faces under the territory's national security law could see him handed a life sentence. But Lai has always denied the charges against him. Nearly a year after the trial started, in November 2024, Lai took to the stand to testify. During his 52 days on the stand he faced questions about his editorial control over Apple Daily, links to activists in Hong Kong, the UK and US - and about alleged meetings with US politicians. Closing arguments in the trial were due to start on 28 July, but were delayed until 14 August. The next hearing is due to last around eight days. How is the British government involved? As he is a British citizen, the UK government expressed concern when Lai was first charged under the national security law in 2020. Subsequent British governments, including the current Labour one, have said Lai's imprisonment is a breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration - the 1984 agreement which set out the conditions of the transfer of Hong Kong from the UK to China. Three months after winning the general election, Sir Keir Starmer said securing Lai's release was a "priority" for his government and said his government would "continue" to raise the case with China. Most recently, during a January trip to China, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she raised the question over Lai's imprisonment with every minister she met. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he has also pressed Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on Lai's detention during previous visits. In March, Lai's son, Sebastien, delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street asking for a meeting with Sir Keir to get his father released immediately. He said he was worried his father might die in prison and the case is a "litmus test" for the government to see if it will stand up to China for a British citizen who is in jail "for peaceful campaigning and journalism".
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Co Down community ‘shaken and upset' after priest attack and death of man
Father 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. Father Murray had been due to retire later this week. Bishop Alan McGuckian (left) thanking PSNI Superintendent Norman Haslett (centre) and Sergeant Suzanne Cochrane (right) for attending a mass at St Colmcille's Church in Downpatrick (Liam McBurney/PA) Police have said the attack may be linked to the death of a man in Downpatrick, who they named as Stephen Brannigan. A 30-year-old man remains in police custody being questioned on suspicion of murder after Mr Brannigan, aged 56, was found dead at an address in Marian Park at about 12pm on Sunday. Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said: 'Our thoughts remain with Mr Brannigan's family and loved ones at this extremely distressing time.' She added: 'A murder investigation is under way, and I would reiterate our appeal for anyone with information to please come forward and speak to our detectives on 101.' A mass was held for Father Murray and Mr Brannigan's family at St Colmcille's Church in Downpatrick on Tuesday. Bishop McGuckian said the whole community has been 'shaken and upset deeply' by the recent events. 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 what-only 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. '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. 'Everyone at times must feel a terrible sense of uncertainty, like walking on water. '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. 'That's another invitation to you this morning, in spite of the terrible things we have to bear, we are a people of hope. 'Our hope does not come from ourselves, if it came from ourselves we would throw it up. It comes from beyond us, it comes from the one who says courage it is I, do not be afraid.' Fr Maurice Henry told parishioners it has been a 'traumatic and shocking' few days. 'It's hard to believe it's been less than 48 hours since Canon Murray was attacked, and the remains of Stephen Brannigan was found,' he added. 'Despite his serious condition and his injuries, Canon Murray is still aware of what is happening around him. 'I would like to pay tribute to Canon (Murray's) dedication to the parish of Downpatrick and his parishioners.' Father John, who has been a priest in the area for about 11 years, was beginning his final week at the parish when he was attacked. Speaking after the mass, Bishop McGuckian said: 'Hope is one of these things that can sound quite ephemeral until it is really needed. Hope only kicks in when things are really bad, when we cannot do it ourselves. 'The people of Downpatrick are being asked to face in to dealing with a reality that 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.' A Police Service of Northern Ireland scene of crime officer in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick where a murder investigation was launched (Liam McBurney/PA) He added: 'The thing that gave me the most consolation on Sunday was when I heard that hundreds of people had gather 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.' He said he hoped to meet with the Brannigan family in the coming days. Bishop McGuckian also said that Fr Murray is 'increasingly comfortable' and will do well in his recovery in hospital. Detectives issued an appeal for information about the two incidents. Detective Chief Inspector Gary Robinson said: 'On Sunday morning, August 10, at approximately 10.10am, police received a report that a priest had been seriously assaulted. 'This was in a church in the St Patrick's Avenue area of the town. 'A man entered the church and brutally attacked the priest with a bottle. 'The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a head injury. Here, he remains in a serious, but stable, condition.' The detective said that while attending the serious assault, police received a report of the man's death at an address in the Marian Park area of the town.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
Co Down community ‘shaken and upset' after priest attack and death of man
Father 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. Father Murray had been due to retire later this week. Police have said the attack may be linked to the death of a man in Downpatrick who had been named locally as Stephen Brannigan. A 30-year-old man remains in police custody being questioned on suspicion of murder after Mr Brannigan was found dead at an address in Marian Park at about 12pm on Sunday. A mass was held for Father Murray and Mr Brannigan's family at St Colmcille's Church in Downpatrick on Tuesday. Bishop McGuckian said the whole community has been 'shaken and upset deeply' by the recent events. 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 what-only 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. '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. 'Everyone at times must feel a terrible sense of uncertainty, like walking on water. '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. 'That's another invitation to you this morning, in spite of the terrible things we have to bear, we are a people of hope. 'Our hope does not come from ourselves, if it came from ourselves we would throw it up. It comes from beyond us, it comes from the one who says courage it is I, do not be afraid.' Fr Maurice Henry told parishioners it has been a 'traumatic and shocking' few days. 'It's hard to believe it's been less than 48 hours since Canon Murray was attacked, and the remains of Stephen Brannigan was found,' he added. 'Despite his serious condition and his injuries, Canon Murray is still aware of what is happening around him. 'I would like to pay tribute to Canon (Murray's) dedication to the parish of Downpatrick and his parishioners.' Father John, who has been a priest in the area for about 11 years, was beginning his final week at the parish when he was attacked. Speaking after the mass, Bishop McGuckian said: 'Hope is one of these things that can sound quite ephemeral until it is really needed. Hope only kicks in when things are really bad, when we cannot do it ourselves. 'The people of Downpatrick are being asked to face in to dealing with a reality that 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.' He added: 'The thing that gave me the most consolation on Sunday was when I heard that hundreds of people had gather 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.' He said he hoped to meet with the Brannigan family in the coming days. Bishop McGuckian also said that Fr Murray is 'increasingly comfortable' and will do well in his recovery in hospital. Detectives issued an appeal for information about the two incidents. Detective Chief Inspector Gary Robinson said: 'On Sunday morning, August 10, at approximately 10.10am, police received a report that a priest had been seriously assaulted. 'This was in a church in the St Patrick's Avenue area of the town. 'A man entered the church and brutally attacked the priest with a bottle. 'The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a head injury. Here, he remains in a serious, but stable, condition.' The detective said that while attending the serious assault, police received a report of the man's death at an address in the Marian Park area of the town.
