Priest in ‘serious but stable condition’ after 'brutal attack' as cops probe murder link

An Irish priest remains in a “serious but stable” condition in hospital after being subjected to a “brutal attack” in his Co Down church on Sunday.

Father John Murray was reportedly struck on the head at St Patrick’s Church.

He was approached by a man who asked if he would hear his confession ahead of the Sunday morning service, and 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.

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.

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On Monday morning, investigators were at a house in Marian Park. A red and white scarf, a Liverpool FC flag and also flowers were left at the fence of the property.

The Downpatrick Family of Parishes said: “Canon Murray continues to receive exceptional care.

“He is stable and comfortable.”

They added that St Patrick’s Church and its grounds remained closed.

SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath described shock and disbelief in Downpatrick following the events of Sunday.

“First of all the community would want to have thoughts and prayers with the family of the deceased individual, and I know that that community in and around the Marian Park area will wrap around them and support them,” he told the BBC.

“Then the shocking nature and the graphic nature of the attack on Father Murray on what was supposed to be the commencement of his retirement, in a public manner and in daylight, exposes an awful lot of vulnerability in that scenario but also more widely, for clergy across Ireland, and other workers in the community, what can happen in the blink of an eye.”