Murder victim was ‘beloved' father and grandfather, family say
The body of Stephen Brannigan, who was in his 50s, was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on Sunday afternoon.
Police are investigating if his death is linked to an attack on a priest in the town, Fr John Murray.
A 30-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
In a statement, Mr Brannigan's family said: 'In the midst of our shock, pain and total heartbreak at the news of the brutal murder of our beloved dad, grandad, son and brother Stephen yesterday, we want to convey our sincere thanks to all those who have surrounded us with such love and care in the hours that have followed.
'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.
'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.'
The family said they wanted to convey their concern for Fr Murray, who remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
The statement added: 'Fr John is highly respected by our family and by all in our community.
'It is so typical of his kindness that he was willing to reach out in trust to someone he believed was in distress, despite the obvious risk to himself.
'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.
'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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
3 minutes ago
- BBC News
Austin Ironside: Man charged with murder after death in Aberdeen
A man has appeared in court charged with murder of a 25-year-old man who was fatally injured in Ironside was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after emergency services were called to Skene Street on Sunday 3 August. He died two days Adams, 46, appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court where he was charged with murder and made no plea and was remanded in custody.
BBC News
3 minutes ago
- BBC News
Man admits murder after homeless assault victim died years later
A man who was jailed 12 years ago for brutally assaulting a homeless man has now admitted murder after his victim died of injuries related to the 2012 Ellis, 36, received a 12-and-a-half year sentence in August 2013 for causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Igor Pavlov in Whitworth Park in Rusholme, Pavlov died aged 52 on 3 July 2023 while Ellis was still serving his original Manchester Crown Court he admitted the new charge of murder and will be sentenced on 27 August. In the original trial the prosecution said Ellis's attack was an "act of senseless violence" which caused the victim life-threatening injuries and left him with "very severe" brain damage and needing specialist care court heard Ellis had gone to the park after a family argument and hit Mr Pavlov repeatedly with an "unknown" object as he sat on a Pavlov suffered a fractured skull which left him in a coma for Frances Birch said: "The final, devastating consequences of Anthony Ellis's brutal attack on Igor Pavlov came more than a decade after the event - but the Crown Prosecution Service was determined to bring Ellis to book for murder all the same."The strength of the evidence, including medical evidence around the cause of Mr Pavlov's death, meant Ellis had no option but to admit murdering Mr Pavlov."Ellis now faces a lengthy prison sentence for his senseless act of violence, which has ultimately robbed a man of his life."Our thoughts remain with those who knew and cared for Mr Pavlov." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Sky News
25 minutes ago
- Sky News
Men jailed after kidnapping pregnant mum and threatening to cut her fingers off
Three men have been jailed after kidnapping a pregnant mother from outside her north London home and threatening to cut her fingers off, police have said. Audi Johnson, 35, Ahmad Ghiasi, 26, and Nicholas Mitchell, 55, were members of a London-based gang that was contracted to carry out the abduction in Enfield on the morning of 10 May last year, the force added. The 36-year-old victim, who has not been named, was bundled into the back of a white Ford Transit van before being blindfolded and bound at the wrist with cable ties by the gang as they sped away. They then fired questions at her about her partner where one of them threatened: "If you lie to me I'm gonna kick the baby out your stomach." The men later made a series of phone calls to her partner as they threatened to cut off her fingers if he did not quickly carry out their demands for money and valuable jewellery, the Metropolitan Police said. Johnson, Ghiasi and Mitchell were found guilty of conspiracy to kidnap last month after a six-week trial at Kingston Crown Court. Mother will 'never be the same again' The victim said she has not been able to go home since the traumatic ordeal and spent the rest of her pregnancy sleeping on her sister's couch. In her impact statement, she told the court: "The incident ruined my life. I will never be the same person again. I am having to start my life all over again. "I will forever have fear and paranoia as part of my life now. I didn't deserve to be a victim of what happened to me. And to top it off, it was all made so much worse by being pregnant. "This will always be something that will be part of my pregnancy, which is meant to be a happy experience, and will always be something that is a part of my daughter." The victim was kidnapped as she waited for a cab to take her to a personal training session with her mother and sister. She was walking along the curb close to her home when she was suddenly grabbed and thrown into the back of the van. Despite being blindfolded and bound at the wrist, when the woman was left alone in the van she managed to escape before flagging down a cab and travelling to the safety of her mother's house. A police spokesman said the Met's Flying Squad responded to the crime immediately. They tracked the van using CCTV and located the vehicle the same night the woman managed to escape. DNA evidence, fingerprint impressions and mobile phone data were used to identify the suspects. The police said Johnson, of Cranberry Close, Northolt, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and was sentenced to five years and four months. Ghiasi, of Fourth Avenue, Luton, was sentenced to seven years for conspiracy to kidnap.
