Latest news with #StPatricksAvenue
Telegraph
11-08-2025
- Telegraph
Attacker asked priest if he would hear his confession before assault
Det Chief Insp Gary Robinson said: 'On Sunday morning, Aug 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... sadly, the man, who is aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.' Police confirmed a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder, as well as on suspicion of attempted murder, and remains in custody. Det Chief Insp Robinson said: 'Our investigations into both the murder and attempted murder are at the early stages. 'While I can confirm that one line of inquiry is that the two are connected, I would reiterate that our inquiries 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.' Prayers are to be offered for both the Brannigan family and Fr Murray at a service led by Bishop Alan McGuckian in St Colmcille's Church in Downpatrick on Tuesday morning.
Irish Times
10-08-2025
- Irish Times
Priest in serious condition following assault in Co Down church
A priest is in a serious condition in hospital following an assault in a Co Down church this morning. It was reported to police at around 10.10am that a man had walked into the Downpatrick church on St Patrick's Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before leaving. He was taken to hospital for treatment of head injury, where he remains in a serious condition. Detectives chief inspector McBurney said: 'This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury. Our enquiries are ongoing into this incident, and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the assault, or has any information to contact Police on 101 and quoting reference 543 of 10/08/25.' READ MORE
BBC News
10-08-2025
- BBC News
Downpatrick: Priest left with 'serious head injury' after attack
A priest is being treated in hospital for a "serious head injury" after being hit with a bottle in was attacked in St Patrick's Church prior to a Mass service at about 10:10 BST on said that a man walked into the church on St Patrick's Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before a statement on social media, Downpatrick Family Of Parishes said: "Fr Murray is currently receiving medical treatment. We thank you for your prayers and well wishes." Det Ch Insp McBurney said: "This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury."The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of head injury, where he remains in a serious condition."
