Locals in the County Down town of Downpatrick have spoken of their shock whilst attending a vigil for a Catholic priest who was attacked on Sunday morning.
The attack on Canon John Murray, who is in his seventies and was due to retire this week, has been described as “brutal,” as the priest remains in hospital. His condition is now believed to be stable after he sustained serious injuries.
It is understood that Canon Murray was in the sacristy preparing to celebrate 10:30am Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Church when the suspect approached him and asked if he would hear his confession. He then attacked him with a bottle, with the elderly priest suffering a “serious head injury” before the attacker walked away.
People in the local community have spoken to the media about their sense of “devastation and fear” in the wake of the attack. Hundreds of locals attended a special prayer vigil for the priest on Sunday night, speaking of how Canon Murray had been due to celebrate his last Mass after 11 years in the parish.
Hundreds of people have taken to social media to wish the priest a speedy recovery, describing the incident as “shocking” and “awful.”
In a parish update issued on Monday morning, Downpatrick Family of Parishes said: “Canon Murray continues to receive exceptional care. He is stable and comfortable.” It added that St Patrick’s Church and the grounds remain closed at this time.
“Please continue to keep all those impacted by yesterday’s tragic events in your prayers. We appreciate the prayer, text messages and phone calls, but ask that the privacy of Canon Murray, his family, clerical colleagues, and staff is respected at this time.”
Two years ago, Fr Murray, originally from Ballygowan, had spoken to Catholic broadcaster Shalom World about having been a priest for the last 47 years:
A man in his thirties remains in custody, after another man was found dead at an address in the Marian Park area on the outskirts of the town at around 12pm on Sunday. Police say they believe that the death and the assault may be linked. In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said:
“Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a man in Downpatrick.
Newry, Mourne and Down, District Commander Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “Police attended an address in the Marian Park area following a report of a deceased man at approximately 12pm on Sunday afternoon, 10th August.
“A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in police custody assisting with enquiries.
“Enquiries are at an early stage and, at this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patrick’s Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday.
“I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 713 of 10/8/25.”
The man who died in Marian Park has been named as Stephen Brannigan, a father of two aged in his fifties. Local SDLP councillor Conor Galbraith said that the family are now in mourning.
“It is really sad that this has resulted in two daughters left behind, grandchildren left behind,” he added.
“And for what, we just don’t know why.”