Priest injured in church attack as police investigate Northern Ireland murder

Dublin, Ireland, Aug 11, 2025 / 11:27 am (CNA).

A 77-year-old parish priest in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, sustained head and hand injuries following a violent attack as he was getting ready to say Sunday morning Mass.

The parish priest of St. Patrick in Downpatrick, Canon John Murray, is in a “serious but stable” condition in the hospital following the Aug. 10 assault in which his fingers were broken while defending himself.

In a separate incident that police believe to be connected to the assault on Murray, a murder inquiry is underway after a man was found dead in a house in the County Down town, RTÉ News reported.

In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said inquiries are ongoing: “At this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St. Patrick’s Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday.” St. Patrick’s Avenue is where the church is located.

“Detectives from our Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Downpatrick,” District Commander Superintendent Norman Haslett said.

“Following a report of a deceased man at approximately 12 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 10, a 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody assisting with enquiries,” according to police.

It was reported to police at around 10:10 a.m. on Sunday that a man had walked into the church on St. Patrick’s Avenue and hit the priest in the head with a bottle before leaving.

Father Eddie McGee, spokesman for the Diocese of Down and Connor, told CNA: “The parish priest of Downpatrick, Canon John Murray, was approached earlier this morning by a gentleman asking him to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation on the way into the church, at which stage Canon John was attacked.”

“Canon Murray sustained a serious head injury and is currently in hospital receiving treatment. His situation remains serious but stable,” he said. “Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with Canon John Murray.”

“It’s very concerning and disturbing that this attack occurred towards a priest who was vulnerable in the course of his ministry and service to the local community,” McGee told CNA.

McGee confirmed that Murray was due to retire as parish priest in the coming weeks and will continue to serve in the local family of parishes until then.

“As parish priest of Downpatrick, Canon Murray is very well known and very well liked and parishioners and others from across the community have been in contact today to assure him of their ongoing prayers and support at this time,” McGee said.

“The diocese has received the devastating and shocking news that another man in Downpatrick has been murdered in what appears to be a related incident,” McGee continued. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family and indeed all affected by this attack resulting in the loss of life.”

Appealing for anyone with further information to contact police, Detective Chief Inspector David McBurney said: “This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury.”

The deceased has been named locally by The Independent as Stephen Brannigan.

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/265887/priest-injured-in-church-attack-as-police-investigate-northern-ireland-murder