12-08-2025
Downpatrick: Mass held for murdered man and attacked priest
A prayer service has been held for the family of a man in his 50s who was murdered and a priest who was attacked in Downpatrick on discovered Stephen Brannigan's body when they went to a house in Marian Park at about 12:00 BST on Sunday after a report that a body had been John Murray was hit on the head with a bottle while preparing to celebrate his last Mass before retirement at St Patrick's Church.A 30-year-old man has been arrested over the murder as well as on suspicion of the attempted murder of Fr John Murray. He remains in custody.
The special Mass at St Colmcille's Church on Tuesday was attended by representatives from local clergy, police and politics as well as members of the at the Mass, Bishop Alan McGuckian said people needed courage, to not be afraid - something that isn't McGuckian said that even in these terrible circumstances that we are shocked and upset we will hear our God saying "courage, do not be afraid".Fr Maurice Henry offered prayers for Fr Murray's recovery, for the memory of Stephen Brannigan, the support of his family and Marian Park community as well as for the alleged perpetrator
Fr Martin Graham, who was involved in putting the special Mass together, said the "very simple, gentle mass" on Tuesday was to "support the people of the town, to support the Brannigan family"."The Bishop just wants to be with the people of the town just to let them know that he and so many other people are praying and supporting the people of the town," Fr Graham told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme."Fr Murray is such a central figure in Downpatrick and in the diocese you know, so many of us have known him for many years. "He was fortunate, he is comfortable in hospital, he is progressing and there is a family grieving, there are two daughters grieving their dad, there's grandchildren grieving their grandad, and it's important for us as well the Brannigan family in all of this," he said."That they have the support of the parish as well and for them to make that statement last night, it was just absolutely heart-breaking."Fr Graham said he expects that St Patrick's Church will reopen for Masses once cleaning has taken place.
'Dearly beloved' husband
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 "faced many difficult issues in his life", according to his family also thanked "those who have surrounded us with such love and care" since Mr Brannigan's death.
On Monday, Bishop McGuckian, who visited the senior priest in hospital, said Fr Murray will make "a good recovery" and he is grateful for prayers from the was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for Murray has served the diocese for 50 years and was scheduled to retire next bishop said "a very special moment was just shattered".
Police are appealing to anyone who was in the St Patrick's Avenue area of Downpatrick between 09:00 and 11:00 BST on Sunday, or the Marian Park area between 00:00 and 12:00 on Sunday, to come forward.
