Latest news with #StephenBrannigan
Belfast Telegraph
12 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Man charged with murder of Downpatrick man and attempted murder of priest
The man has also been charged with attempted murder in relation to an assault on priest Fr John Murray. 'Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Major Investigation Team, investigating the murder of Stephen Brannigan and the serious assault of a priest in Downpatrick on Sunday 10th August, have charged a man to court,' said a PSNI spokesperson. 'The man, aged 30, has been charged with murder and attempted murder. 'He is due to appear before Newtownards Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Wednesday August 13. 'As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Stephen Brannigan died following an incident in the Marian Park area of the town. Police have said they believe the death may be linked to an attack on a priest later on the same day. On Monday, Mr Brannigan's family thanked the local community for their support following his death. "We want to express our particular thanks to those who organised and gathered for the beautiful prayer vigil in St Brigid's Church in the town on Sunday evening,' they said. "It means so much to us at this difficult time and reflects the very special people who make up the Marian Park and wider Downpatrick community. "Stephen was known among his neighbours and friends as someone who was always willing to help out, ready to do whatever needed to be done for the good of others. "Even the day before he died, he was tending the graves of friends and neighbours, as he did, almost every day, the grave of his late wife Dorenda, who died five years ago from cancer. "Stephen faced many difficult issues in his life. We know his life was not perfect. But for us, he was our dad, our grandad, our son and our brother. "His rock through all of this was Dorenda. We pray they will be reunited now in perfect peace and love.' The family also conveyed their concern for Fr John Murray, who police said remained in a 'serious but stable condition' in hospital. "With so many others, we pray for his full recovery and thank him for his own prayers for us which he has conveyed through the priests of the parish.' 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. Co Down community 'shaken and upset' after priest attack and death of man 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,' he added.
The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
Man charged with murder and attempted murder in Downpatrick
A 30-year-old man has been charged with murder and attempted murder following the death of a man and the serious assault of a priest in Downpatrick. The body of Stephen Brannigan, who was aged 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 Co Down town. Detectives investigating the murder of Mr Brannigan and the assault on Fr Murray announced on Tuesday evening that they had charged a man to court. The man, aged 30, has been charged with murder and attempted murder. He is due to appear before Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
Downpatrick: Man, 30, charged over Stephen Brannigan murder and priest attack
A 30-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a man and attempted murder of a priest in Downpatrick, County Down, over the discovered the body of Stephen Brannigan, 56, at a house in Marian Park at about 12:00 BST on John Murray is in hospital after being hit on the head with a bottle while preparing to celebrate his last Mass before retirement at St Patrick's Church in the man is due to appear at Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
South Wales Guardian
4 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Co Down community ‘shaken and upset' after priest attack and death of man
Father John Murray was struck on the head in a brutal attack at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick on Sunday. He was approached by a man who asked if he would hear his confession ahead of the morning service, and then attacked as shocked parishioners arrived for mass. Father Murray had been due to retire later this week. Police have said the attack may be linked to the death of a man in Downpatrick who had been named locally as Stephen Brannigan. A 30-year-old man remains in police custody being questioned on suspicion of murder after Mr Brannigan was found dead at an address in Marian Park at about 12pm on Sunday. A mass was held for Father Murray and Mr Brannigan's family at St Colmcille's Church in Downpatrick on Tuesday. Bishop McGuckian said the whole community has been 'shaken and upset deeply' by the recent events. The Bishop of Down and Connor told those gathered: 'There's so many ways in which hearts can be stirred in moments like this. 'People carrying what-ifs and what-only and so many other things like that. 'It's at times like this that we Christians are called to rely totally on the mercy of God. 'We are invited to have courage and not to fear. 'At a moment like this when so many people feel a great fear and a great sense of uncertainty, what is going on? What on Earth is happening to us? 'It is easier said than done and it is not a once-off. 'Everyone at times must feel a terrible sense of uncertainty, like walking on water. 'On Sunday when I heard the news, I was just going to the diocesan pilgrimage in Moneyglass and had to speak about hope, this is the jubilee of hope. 'That's another invitation to you this morning, in spite of the terrible things we have to bear, we are a people of hope. 'Our hope does not come from ourselves, if it came from ourselves we would throw it up. It comes from beyond us, it comes from the one who says courage it is I, do not be afraid.' Fr Maurice Henry told parishioners it has been a 'traumatic and shocking' few days. 'It's hard to believe it's been less than 48 hours since Canon Murray was attacked, and the remains of Stephen Brannigan was found,' he added. 'Despite his serious condition and his injuries, Canon Murray is still aware of what is happening around him. 'I would like to pay tribute to Canon (Murray's) dedication to the parish of Downpatrick and his parishioners.' Father John, who has been a priest in the area for about 11 years, was beginning his final week at the parish when he was attacked. Speaking after the mass, Bishop McGuckian said: 'Hope is one of these things that can sound quite ephemeral until it is really needed. Hope only kicks in when things are really bad, when we cannot do it ourselves. 'The people of Downpatrick are being asked to face in to dealing with a reality that we cannot make sense of, we cannot handle. 'That courage is a call to hope and I think that is exactly what we need to hear at this time.' He added: 'The thing that gave me the most consolation on Sunday was when I heard that hundreds of people had gather spontaneously to pray for Stephen and Fr John, that gives me a sense that in this community there are the resources to really come together and be strong for one another. 'There are great people in this community.' He said he hoped to meet with the Brannigan family in the coming days. Bishop McGuckian also said that Fr Murray is 'increasingly comfortable' and will do well in his recovery in hospital. Detectives issued an appeal for information about the two incidents. 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.' The detective said that while attending the serious assault, police received a report of the man's death at an address in the Marian Park area of the town.
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Co Down community ‘shaken and upset' after priest attack and death of man
He was approached by a man who asked if he would hear his confession ahead of the morning service, and then attacked as shocked parishioners arrived for mass. Father Murray had been due to retire later this week. Bishop Alan McGuckian (left) thanking PSNI Superintendent Norman Haslett (centre) and Sergeant Suzanne Cochrane (right) for attending a mass at St Colmcille's Church in Downpatrick (Liam McBurney/PA) Police have said the attack may be linked to the death of a man in Downpatrick who had been named locally as Stephen Brannigan. A 30-year-old man remains in police custody being questioned on suspicion of murder after Mr Brannigan was found dead at an address in Marian Park at about 12pm on Sunday. A mass was held for Father Murray and Mr Brannigan's family at St Colmcille's Church in Downpatrick on Tuesday. Bishop McGuckian said the whole community has been 'shaken and upset deeply' by the recent events. The Bishop of Down and Connor told those gathered: 'There's so many ways in which hearts can be stirred in moments like this. 'People carrying what-ifs and what-only and so many other things like that. 'It's at times like this that we Christians are called to rely totally on the mercy of God. 'We are invited to have courage and not to fear. 'At a moment like this when so many people feel a great fear and a great sense of uncertainty, what is going on? What on Earth is happening to us? 'It is easier said than done and it is not a once-off. 'Everyone at times must feel a terrible sense of uncertainty, like walking on water. 'On Sunday when I heard the news, I was just going to the diocesan pilgrimage in Moneyglass and had to speak about hope, this is the jubilee of hope. 'That's another invitation to you this morning, in spite of the terrible things we have to bear, we are a people of hope. 'Our hope does not come from ourselves, if it came from ourselves we would throw it up. It comes from beyond us, it comes from the one who says courage it is I, do not be afraid.' Fr Maurice Henry told parishioners it has been a 'traumatic and shocking' few days. 'It's hard to believe it's been less than 48 hours since Canon Murray was attacked, and the remains of Stephen Brannigan was found,' he added. 'Despite his serious condition and his injuries, Canon Murray is still aware of what is happening around him. 'I would like to pay tribute to Canon (Murray's) dedication to the parish of Downpatrick and his parishioners.' Father John, who has been a priest in the area for about 11 years, was beginning his final week at the parish when he was attacked. Speaking after the mass, Bishop McGuckian said: 'Hope is one of these things that can sound quite ephemeral until it is really needed. Hope only kicks in when things are really bad, when we cannot do it ourselves. 'The people of Downpatrick are being asked to face in to dealing with a reality that we cannot make sense of, we cannot handle. 'That courage is a call to hope and I think that is exactly what we need to hear at this time.' A Police Service of Northern Ireland scene of crime officer in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick where a murder investigation was launched (Liam McBurney/PA) He added: 'The thing that gave me the most consolation on Sunday was when I heard that hundreds of people had gather spontaneously to pray for Stephen and Fr John, that gives me a sense that in this community there are the resources to really come together and be strong for one another. 'There are great people in this community.' He said he hoped to meet with the Brannigan family in the coming days. Bishop McGuckian also said that Fr Murray is 'increasingly comfortable' and will do well in his recovery in hospital. Detectives issued an appeal for information about the two incidents. 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.' The detective said that while attending the serious assault, police received a report of the man's death at an address in the Marian Park area of the town.
