Latest news with #FrJohnMurray
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Downpatrick: Murdered man Stephen Brannigan was 'much loved'
The man who was murdered in Downpatrick, County Down, on Sunday has been remembered as a much loved father and a loving grandfather. He has been named as Stephen Brannigan. Officers went to a house in Marian Park at about 12:00 BST on Sunday after a report a body had been found.A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of suspect the case might be connected to an attack on a priest, Fr John Murray, in St Patrick's Church in the town. 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."
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
Downpatrick murder inquiry may be linked to 'brutal' attack on priest
A 30-year-old man is still being held on suspicion of murder after a man's death in Downpatrick, that police said might be linked to a "brutal" attack on a priest in a church in the went to a house in Marian Park at about 12:00 BST on Sunday after a report that a body had been found. Police suspect the case might be connected to an attack on a priest, Fr John Murray, in St Patrick's Church in the County Down was hit on the head with a bottle while preparing to celebrate his last Mass before his retirement. Police said he remained in a serious condition in a Belfast hospital. Police said a man walked into the church on St Patrick's Avenue at 10:10 BST on Sunday and hit the priest before Ch Insp McBurney said it "was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury".The priest was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in of people attended a vigil in Downpatrick's St Brigid's Church on Sunday evening. Fr Martin Graham, who took the service, said it was about being with the parishioners and praying with them, for Fr Murray and also "for the other poor man who lost his life".He said Fr Murray had given the last 11 years of life to the parish and was due to retire on Thursday."He is so well thought of by the people here," he said. "It is just heartbreaking for them in what was supposed to be a poignant farewell this morning that it turned into something which was just grotesque." Supt Norman Haslett said enquiries were at an early stage and at this time, they suspect the Marian Park incident "may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patrick's Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday".Speaking about the death in Marian Park, SDLP councillor Conor Galbraith said a family were now in mourning."It is really sad that this has resulted in two daughters left behind, grandchildren left behind," he added."And for what, we just don't know why."
Sky News
14 hours ago
- Sky News
'Shocking and brutal' on priest may be linked to man's murder
A man's death may be linked to a "brutal" attack on a priest in a church, police have said. Officers have begun a murder investigation after receiving a report that a man was found dead in Co Down. The discovery was made at an address in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick at about 12pm on Sunday. Police have arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of murder and he is in custody. This comes after a priest was left in a serious condition in hospital following a "brutal attack" in a church in Downpatrick on Sunday morning. It was reported to police that at about 10.10am, a man walked into St Patrick's Church and hit Fr John Murray on the head with a bottle. Superintendent Norman Haslett, district commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, said officers suspect the murder may be linked to the attack on the priest. "Inquiries are at an early stage and, at this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patrick's Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday," he said. Detective Chief Inspector David McBurney said it was a "brutal attack" on the priest and appealed for people with information to come forward. Sinn Fein MP for South Down, Chris Hazzard, said the attack on the priest and the death of the man in Downpatrick were "deeply shocking". "The death of a man, along with the vicious attack on Fr Murray in St Patrick's Church, has deeply saddened and horrified the local community," he said. DUP MLA for South Down, Diane Forsythe, condemned the "disgraceful attack on a religious leader in a place of worship". Of the two incidents, she said: "There is no place for violent attacks in our society. "My thoughts and prayers are with the entire community as they process this devastating murder as well as the serious assault earlier today." Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray said the incidents had left many in the local community "in shock on what should be a day of peace and rest".
Sky News
14 hours ago
- Sky News
'Shocking and brutal' attack on priest may be linked to man's murder
A man's death may be linked to a "brutal" attack on a priest in a church, police have said. Officers have begun a murder investigation after receiving a report that a man was found dead in Co Down. The discovery was made at an address in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick at about 12pm on Sunday. Police have arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of murder and he is in custody. This comes after a priest was left in a serious condition in hospital following a "brutal attack" in a church in Downpatrick on Sunday morning. It was reported to police that at about 10.10am, a man walked into St Patrick's Church and hit Fr John Murray on the head with a bottle. Superintendent Norman Haslett, district commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, said officers suspect the murder may be linked to the attack on the priest. "Inquiries are at an early stage and, at this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patrick's Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday," he said. Detective Chief Inspector David McBurney said it was a "brutal attack" on the priest and appealed for people with information to come forward. Sinn Fein MP for South Down, Chris Hazzard, said the attack on the priest and the death of the man in Downpatrick were "deeply shocking". "The death of a man, along with the vicious attack on Fr Murray in St Patrick's Church, has deeply saddened and horrified the local community," he said. DUP MLA for South Down, Diane Forsythe, condemned the "disgraceful attack on a religious leader in a place of worship". Of the two incidents, she said: "There is no place for violent attacks in our society. "My thoughts and prayers are with the entire community as they process this devastating murder as well as the serious assault earlier today." Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray said the incidents had left many in the local community "in shock on what should be a day of peace and rest".
Telegraph
21 hours ago
- Telegraph
Murder in Northern Ireland ‘linked to brutal attack on priest'
The murder of a man in Northern Ireland may be linked to a 'brutal' attack on a priest, police have said. Police received a report that a man was found dead at an address in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick at around 12pm on Sunday. A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in police custody. It came after a priest was left in a serious condition in hospital after a 'brutal attack' at a church in Downpatrick on Sunday morning. It was reported to police that, at about 10.10am, a man walked into St Patrick's Church and hit Fr John Murray on the head with a bottle. 'Inquiries at an early stage' Supt Norman Haslett, the district commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, said officers suspected the murder investigation may be linked to the attack on the priest. 'Inquiries are at an early stage and, at this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patrick's Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday,' he said. 'I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 713 of Aug 10 2025.' Police said it was a 'shocking and brutal attack' on the priest, and appealed for people with information to come forward. Chris Hazzard, the Sinn Fein MP for South Down, said: 'My thoughts are with all those affected by these tragic events including family and friends of the victims, parishioners who were on their way to mass this morning, and the emergency services who attended the scenes. I would encourage anyone with information to contact police to assist them with their investigations.'
