Elderly Priest Critically Injured in Church Attack Linked to Nearby Murder
Belfast: An elderly priest is in critical condition after being struck with a bottle inside St. Patrick’s Church in Downpatrick, County Down. Police say the assault is connected to a murder that occurred nearby the same day.
Fr. John Murray (74) was attacked on Sunday morning as he prepared to celebrate his final Sunday Mass before retirement. The assailant, who had approached under the pretext of making a confession, struck Fr. Murray just as parishioners were arriving for the service. He sustained severe head injuries and is being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Police have arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with both the church attack and the murder of Stephen Brannigan, who was found dead at his home in Marian Park around midday on Sunday. Investigators believe the two incidents are directly linked.
Following the assault, St. Patrick’s Church and its surrounding area were sealed off, and all services have been cancelled until further notice.
Police are appealing for witnesses who were in the St. Patrick’s Avenue area between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m., or in Marian Park between midnight and noon on Sunday to come forward with any information that could assist the investigation.
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