Cops issue fresh appeal for murder probe

Man held and quizzed on suspicion of killing. Parishioners witness 'brutal assault' on cleric

- BY MIRROR REPORTERS

DETECTIVES were last night quizzing a man on suspicion of the murder of a grandad and attempted murder of a priest.

In an update from the PSNI in the wake of the two attacks in Downpatrick, Co Down, senior officers confirmed that "one line of inquiry" is the two incidents are connected.

The latest statement also revealed police are now treating the attack on Fr John Murray as attempted murder.

The man killed was yesterday named as Stephen Brannigan.

In a death notice, he was remembered as a "dearly beloved" father, a "much loved" father of two daughters and a "loving grandfather" of six.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Robinson, from the Major Investigation Team, said: "On Sunday, 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 Downpatrick.

"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.