There is a “deep sense of devastation and fear” within a local community after a man was discovered dead and a priest was assaulted in Downpatrick, County Down, on Sunday, reports RTE.
A man in his 30s is currently being held in custody after the body of another man was found in the Marian Park area, on the edge of Downpatrick, at around midday.
Locals have identified the deceased as Stephen Brannigan.
Police are also looking into a violent attack that took place earlier in the day at a church in the town, involving a local priest, reports RTE.
The PSNI has confirmed that the incidents were separate but connected.
The body was found shortly after Canon John Murray was attacked in the sacristy of St Patrick’s Church.
The priest had been getting ready for the 10.30am mass when a man approached him asking for confession, reports RTE.
The parish priest was then struck with a bottle, suffering a significant head wound.
On Sunday night, a large number of parishioners held a vigil to remember the deceased and offer prayers for Canon Murray’s recovery, reports RTE.
Canon Murray remains in hospital in serious but stable condition.
The church where the attack took place remained closed off Sunday evening. All services there have been suspended until further notice, reports RTE.
The priest, in his 70s, had planned to retire this week. Sunday’s mass was to have been one of his last.
SDLP councillor Conor Galbraith said the community is reeling from the shock, sadness, and fear brought by the two incidents.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said: “There’s an absolute sense of devastation and fear in regards to the incidents that took place in Downpatrick yesterday,” reports RTE.
“Waking up this morning, I am still receiving messages asking what can we do as councillors? It’s a really difficult 24 hours,” reports RTE.
Mr Galbraith said he personally knew the family of the man who died and that he had two daughters and grandchildren.
He added: “It’s just really shocking to learn that something like this can happen on your doorstep,” reports RTE.
Referring to Canon Murray, he described him as a highly respected and central figure in the local community.
He said: “Yesterday would have been the beginning of the end of his last couple of masses. He’s very well known, he’s a very quiet man, but he’s also quite a pillar of the community here in Downpatrick. It was lovely to see the community come together (at the vigil) but there was just a sense of sadness. People are sort of just confused as to what has happened and why it has happened,” reports RTE.
Father Eddie McGee, spokesperson for the Diocese of Down and Connor, offered condolences to the deceased man’s family and described the event as a tragic and brutal loss.
He told the same programme: “My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, two daughters, and extended family. This is an absolutely shocking series of events that has taken place in what is a really historic and beautiful town. It’s very hard to capture how people are experiencing this this morning,” reports RTE.
Fr McGee said Canon Murray is deeply respected and well thought of in the area.
“People are praying for his safety and recovery. He has received quite serious head injuries but he is stable,” he added, reports RTE.
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