Latest news with #HughMalone
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Downpatrick: Funeral held for murder victim Stephen Brannigan
A priest at the funeral of Stephen Brannigan, who was found murdered in a house in County Down, has condemned the "culture of aggression and violence" he said is "creeping like a cancer" through 56-year-old was found dead in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on Sunday 10 funeral service took place in St Brigid's Church in the town.A 30-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan, and attempted murder of a priest. The priest, Fr John Murray, is in hospital after being attacked while preparing to celebrate his last Mass before retirement at St Patrick's Church in Malone, from Belfast but with no fixed abode, appeared before Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Peace 'cruelly shattered' Delivering the homily at Saturday's funeral, Fr Timothy Bartlett said that "the peace of an ordinary summer Sunday morning" had been "cruelly shattered by acts of vicious and senseless violence"."Totally unprovoked, this violence was directed against two people who had simply reached out to help someone they believed to be in distress," he told the Bartlett said Mr Brannigan liked "to reach out to others, to drop in to a neighbour's house and make them a cup of tea, or paint their house for nothing, or look after the grave of a neighbour's loved one, as he did his late wife Dorenda's almost every day". "This was so much a part of the kind, thoughtful person Stephen Brannigan was," he added. Addressing the events of last weekend, the priest questioned whether things that once "made communities strong" are now disappearing. "Am I the only who feels that there is growing culture of aggression and violence creeping like a cancer through the bones of our families, our towns and our society, in which nothing and no-one is sacred any more? "Am I the only one who yearns for a little more gentleness, a little more civility, a little more courtesy, a little more neighbourliness and community, and a little more compassion and care?" Always willing to help In a statement on Monday, the family of Mr Brannigan said he was known among his neighbours and friends as someone who was always willing to help out and "ready to do whatever needed to be done for the good of others".The day before he died, he was tending to friends' graves while visiting the grave of his late wife, Dorenda, "as he did, almost every day".Mr Brannigan is remembered as a "dearly beloved" husband, a "much loved" father of two daughters and a "loving grandfather" of six in his death family also thanked "those who have surrounded us with such love and care".
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Man in court over murder of Stephen Brannigan and attack on priest in church
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Stephen Brannigan and the attempted murder of a priest in Co Down. Hugh Malone, 30, of no fixed address but from the Belfast area, appeared via videolink from Musgrave police station at Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. The body of Mr Brannigan, 56, was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on Sunday afternoon. On the same day, Father John Murray was attacked at St Patrick's Church in the town. No details of the incident were given during the brief court hearing. Malone was wearing a grey sweatshirt and confirmed that he understood the charges against him. A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective chief inspector told the court that she could connect Malone to the charges. A defence solicitor asked the officer to confirm that his client had had an appropriate adult or intermediary with him during police interviews. The lawyer said there was a 'significant mental health context' to the case. No application for bail was made and deputy district judge Peter Prenter remanded Malone in custody until September 4. Fr John Murray is recovering in hospital after being attacked while preparing to celebrate his last mass before retirement at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick on Sunday. A church service in support of the family of Mr Brannigan and for Fr Murray was held in the town on Tuesday. Mr Brannigan's family have described him as a 'beloved' father and grandfather.
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Man in court over murder of Stephen Brannigan and attack on priest in church
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Stephen Brannigan and the attempted murder of a priest in Co Down. Hugh Malone, 30, of no fixed address but from the Belfast area, appeared via videolink from Musgrave police station at Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. The body of Mr Brannigan, 56, was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on Sunday afternoon. On the same day, Father John Murray was attacked at St Patrick's Church in the town. No details of the incident were given during the brief court hearing. Malone was wearing a grey sweatshirt and confirmed that he understood the charges against him. A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective chief inspector told the court that she could connect Malone to the charges. A defence solicitor asked the officer to confirm that his client had had an appropriate adult or intermediary with him during police interviews. The lawyer said there was a 'significant mental health context' to the case. No application for bail was made and deputy district judge Peter Prenter remanded Malone in custody until September 4. Fr John Murray is recovering in hospital after being attacked while preparing to celebrate his last mass before retirement at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick on Sunday. A church service in support of the family of Mr Brannigan and for Fr Murray was held in the town on Tuesday. Mr Brannigan's family have described him as a 'beloved' father and grandfather.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man in court over murder of Stephen Brannigan and attack on priest in church
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Stephen Brannigan and the attempted murder of a priest in Co Down. Hugh Malone, 30, of no fixed address but from the Belfast area, appeared via videolink from Musgrave police station at Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Advertisement The body of Mr Brannigan, 56, was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on Sunday afternoon. Stephen Brannigan died after an attack in Downpatrick on Sunday (PSNI/PA) On the same day, Father John Murray was attacked at St Patrick's Church in the town. No details of the incident were given during the brief court hearing. Malone was wearing a grey sweatshirt and confirmed that he understood the charges against him. Advertisement A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detective chief inspector told the court that she could connect Malone to the charges. A defence solicitor asked the officer to confirm that his client had had an appropriate adult or intermediary with him during police interviews. A church service in support of the family of Mr Brannigan and for Fr Murray was held in the town on Tuesday, lead by Bishop Alan McGuckian (Liam McBurney/PA) The lawyer said there was a 'significant mental health context' to the case. No application for bail was made and deputy district judge Peter Prenter remanded Malone in custody until September 4. Advertisement Fr John Murray is recovering in hospital after being attacked while preparing to celebrate his last mass before retirement at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick on Sunday. A church service in support of the family of Mr Brannigan and for Fr Murray was held in the town on Tuesday. Mr Brannigan's family have described him as a 'beloved' father and grandfather.
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Downpatrick: Man appears in court charged with murder and attempted murder
A 30-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murder and attempted murder in relation to incidents in Downpatrick on Malone, from Belfast but with no fixed abode, appeared before Newtownards Magistrates' Court charged with the murder of Stephen Brannigan and the attempted murder of County Down priest Fr John discovered the body of Mr Brannigan, 56, at a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick at about 12:00 BST on John Murray is recovering in hospital after being attacked while preparing to celebrate his last Mass before retirement at St Patrick's Church in the town. Mr Malone appeared via a video link from Musgrave police station in spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the charges.A detective chief inspector confirmed to the court she could connect him to the Malone's solicitor told the court there was an obvious and very significant mental health context to the was also confirmed with the PSNI officer that Mr Malone had the assistance of an appropriate adult during application for bail was made and he was remanded in to Malone is due to appear again on 4 September in Downpatrick Court.
