A 30-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with the murder of 56-year-old Stephen Brannigan and the attempted murder of a priest in Downpatrick on Sunday.
Hugh Malone, of no fixed abode, Belfast, appeared via video link before Newtownards Magistrates’ Court.
Mr Brannigan’s body was found at a house in Marian Park at midday on Sunday.
A few hours before the discovery, Canon John Murray was attacked with a bottle in the sacristy of St Patrick’s church in the centre of the town.
He remains in hospital in a stable condition.
Mr Malone only spoke to confirm his name and that he understood the charges.
He was remanded in custody to appear again in court again in four weeks’ time.