‘Dark cloud over Downpatrick’ says local councillorFr John Murray, who was due to retire this week, sustained a ‘very serious head injury’ in what is believed to be a linked attackParishioner says people ‘totally shocked’ by incident in church‘No risk to public’ following incidents says PSNI
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.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested and is being questioned on suspicion of both murder and attempted murder.
Left: Stephen Brannigan. Right: Fr John Murray. Both men were attacked in Downpatrick on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
The PSNI has also reassured the Downpatrick community there is “no ongoing risk to the public” following the incidents.
In a statement, Mr Brannigan’s family revealed he had been tending his late wife’s grave the day before he died.
“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.
“It is so typical of his kindness that he was willing to reach out in trust to someone he believed was in distress, despite the obvious risk to himself,” they said.
“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.”
Police have also confirmed they are investigating a link between Mr Brannigan’s death and the attack on Fr Murray.
Stephen Brannigan
PSNI 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.
“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.
“Officers attended along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Sadly, the man, who is aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Following initial enquires, a murder investigation was launched, and a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has also been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and remains in custody at this time.
“Our investigations into both the murder and attempted murder are at the early stages. While I can confirm that one line of enquiry is that the two are connected, I would reiterate that our enquiries 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.”
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.
Fr John Murray (above) was attacked just before he was about to say his final mass at St Patrick’s Church in Downpatrick. Photo: Pacemaker
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 yesterday,” he added.
“The parishioners said they started gathering in the church in Downpatrick and mass was to be celebrated at about 10.30am.
“It seems that about 15-20 minutes before mass, a gentleman approached the sacristy, looking for Fr John Murray, asking if he would hear his confession.
“It was at that stage, he was attacked. The parishioners, who witnessed this brutal attack, they then called the PSNI and the emergency services to then come to the aid of Fr Murray.”
St Patrick’s Church, St Patrick’s Avenue, Downpatrick
‘It was mayhem in the church. People were aghast at what had happened. Totally shocked. People can’t take it in.’
77-year-old parishioner Raymond Rooney was present at the time of the attack on Fr Murray. He had been at the chapel an hour before mass was due to start.
“The sacristan was there, he was around doing his work. Then this man came in on his own,” he told BBC NI.
“The sacristan was up at the altar and this man, he said something to the sacristan, he sounded a bit aggressive, it was only a couple of words, then he shouted something but I couldn’t catch it, it’s a big church.
“He went round the corner, that was it, the sacristan disappeared.”
Mr Rooney said he remembered suddenly hearing “loud crying” and added that Fr Murray arrived five to ten minutes later.
He said he alerted Fr Murray to the man’s presence: “I said that there was a man around the corner there, and he is crying out loud and talking out loud.
“Fr Murray ran in and I heard voices, I couldn’t hear what they were saying. I heard the door closing.
“About maybe five minutes later the man left, he must have said something to Fr Murray. The last word I could hear was ‘father’.
“Some of the women started to gather and somebody said: ‘Father Murray is injured’.
“Then the police arrived – there was commotion, everyone was talking and then I heard the ambulance arrive.
“It was mayhem in the church. People were aghast at what had happened. Totally shocked. People can’t take it in.”
Stephen Brannigan.
Police at the scene of Downpatrick murder
A funeral notice for Mr Brannigan described him as a “dearly beloved husband” and a “loving” father and grandfather. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
SDLP councillor Conor Galbraith said neighbours had described Mr Brannigan as a “quiet lad”.
“He got up in the morning and got about his work, but anyone in the estate needed anything done, he was the first to do it,” he said.
“There was a dark cloud over Downpatrick yesterday, there was a vigil held last night, it was an opportunity for people to show support, it shows that everyone has each other’s back.”
Newry, Mourne and Down, District Commander Superintendent Norman Haslett has said there is “no ongoing risk” to the public following the incident.
“For a man to be murdered and a Priest to be attacked in the sanctity of his own church, these are appalling acts and I understand that many people will inevitably be struggling to come to terms with both grief and shock,” he said.
“I want to reassure the local community that there is no ongoing risk to the public and you will see an increased visible police presence in the area over the next few days.
“Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”