A 77-year-old parish priest in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, sustained head and hand injuries following a violent attack as he was getting ready to say Sunday morning Mass. Source: CNA.
Canon John Murray is in a “serious but stable” condition in the hospital following the August 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 Canon 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, police said inquiries were 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 12pm on Sunday afternoon, August 10, a 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody assisting with enquiries.”
It was reported to police at around 10.10 am 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.
Fr 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.”
Fr McGee confirmed that Canon 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.
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Priest injured in church attack as police investigate Northern Ireland murder (CNA)
