Man killed in Downpatrick pictured as priest attack treated as attempted murder

Belfast Telegraph

4 days ago

The PSNI has also reassured the Downpatrick community there is 'no ongoing risk to the public' after the death of Stephen Brannigan, believed to be aged in his 50s, following an incident in the Marian Park area of the town on Sunday.
Police have also confirmed they are investigating a link between the death and the attack on Fr John Murray, who remains in a 'serious but stable condition' in hospital.
PSNI 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.
"While attending this serious assault, at around midday, police received a report of the death of a man at an address in the Marian Park area.
"Officers attended along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Sadly, the man, who is aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Following initial enquires, a murder investigation was launched, and a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has also been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and remains in custody at this time.
"Our investigations into both the murder and attempted murder are at the early stages. While I can confirm that one line of enquiry is that the two are connected, I would reiterate that our enquiries are ongoing in an effort to establish the facts surrounding both incidents.
"I am keen to appeal to anyone who was in the St Patrick's Avenue area of Downpatrick between 9am and 11am on Sunday, or the Marian Park area between 12 midnight and 12 noon on Sunday, and saw or heard anything untoward, to please come forward and speak to us.
"Any detail, no matter how small, could be of vital importance to our investigation. I would ask anyone with information, CCTV or dash cam footage to contact us on 101, quoting reference 713 of 10/08/25.'
Fr Murray, who was due to retire on Thursday, was preparing to celebrate his final Mass at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick when the attack took place.
Speaking on Good Morning Ulster on Monday morning, Fr Eddie McGee described Fr Murray as a 'well known and very well respected priest'.
'We are all praying for his recovery at this stage. It is an absolute shock for parishioners who witnessed this terrible event yesterday,' he added.
'The parishioners said they started gathering in the church in Downpatrick and mass was to be celebrated at about 10.30am.
'It seems that about 15-20 minutes before mass, a gentleman approached the sacristy, looking for Fr John Murray, asking if he would hear his confession.
'It was at that stage, he was attacked. The parishioners, who witnessed this brutal attack, they then called the PSNI and the emergency services to then come to the aid of Fr Murray.'
Fr McGee added: 'It was an absolute shock, our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with the family of the gentleman who was murdered in Downpatrick, his wife, his two daughters, his wider family.
'The loss of life in such brutal circumstances, is just very difficult to comprehend.'
He added that Fr Murray was 'highly regarded' and had 'committed his whole life to the service of the people'
"This [attack] is not what people would expect to have happened in Downpatrick,' he continued.
"I can say that many people have been in contact with both the diocese and with the priests of the local surrounding area to convey their words of support and their prayer for Fr Murray.
"I have no doubt that there will be other opportunities for people to gather in prayer.
"Bishop Alan McGuckian has went across to visit the hospital last night to meet with the family of Fr Murray at this time.'
'It was mayhem in the church. People were aghast at what had happened. Totally shocked. People can't take it in.'
77-year-old parishioner Raymond Rooney was present at the time of the attack on Fr Murray. He had been at the chapel an hour before mass was due to start.
'The sacristan was there, he was around doing his work. Then this man came in on his own,' he told BBC NI.
'The sacristan was up at the altar and this man, he said something to the sacristan, he sounded a bit aggressive, it was only a couple of words, then he shouted something but I couldn't catch it, it's a big church.
'He went round the corner, that was it, the sacristan disappeared.'
Mr Rooney said he remembered suddenly hearing 'loud crying' and added that Fr Murray arrived five to ten minutes later.
He said he alerted Fr Murray to the man's presence: 'I said that there was a man around the corner there, and he is crying out loud and talking out loud.
'Fr Murray ran in and I heard voices, I couldn't hear what they were saying. I heard the door closing.
'About maybe five minutes later the man left, he must have said something to Fr Murray. The last word I could hear was 'father'.
'Some of the women started to gather and somebody said: 'Father Murray is injured'.
'Then the police arrived - there was commotion, everyone was talking and then I heard the ambulance arrive.
"It was mayhem in the church. People were aghast at what had happened. Totally shocked. People can't take it in."
Police at the scene of Downpatrick murder
A funeral notice for Mr Brannigan described him as a 'dearly beloved husband' and a 'loving' father and grandfather. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
SDLP councillor Conor Galbraith said neighbours had described Mr Brannigan as a 'quiet lad'.
'He got up in the morning and got about his work, but anyone in the estate needed anything done, he was the first to do it,' he said.
'I spoke to the two daughters, they are devastated, Stephen's fathers was in bits, it was awful, so so sad.
'There was a dark cloud over Downpatrick yesterday, there was a vigil held last night, it was an opportunity for people to show support, it shows that everyone has each other's back.'
Newry, Mourne and Down, District Commander Superintendent Norman Haslett has said there is 'no ongoing risk' to the public following the incident.
'I would like to express my sympathy to family members, friends and the wider community in Downpatrick who are today left shaken by the tragic events of the weekend,' he said.
"For a man to be murdered and a Priest to be attacked in the sanctity of his own church, these are appalling acts and I understand that many people will inevitably be struggling to come to terms with both grief and shock.
"I want to reassure the local community that there is no ongoing risk to the public and you will see an increased visible police presence in the area over the next few days.