This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1lee4ez0peo
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Downpatrick: Priest left with 'serious head injury' after attack | Downpatrick: Priest left with 'serious head injury' after attack |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Fr John Murray was attacked prior to Mass on Sunday | Fr John Murray was attacked prior to Mass on Sunday |
| A priest is being treated in hospital for a "serious head injury" after being hit with a bottle in Downpatrick. | A priest is being treated in hospital for a "serious head injury" after being hit with a bottle in Downpatrick. |
| Fr John Murray was attacked in St Patrick's Church prior to Mass at about 10:10 BST on Sunday. | Fr John Murray was attacked in St Patrick's Church prior to Mass at about 10:10 BST on Sunday. |
| Police said a man walked into the church on St Patrick's Avenue and hit the priest on his head before leaving. | Police said a man walked into the church on St Patrick's Avenue and hit the priest on his head before leaving. |
| Downpatrick Family Of Parishes said: "Fr Murray is currently receiving medical treatment. We thank you for your prayers and well wishes." | Downpatrick Family Of Parishes said: "Fr Murray is currently receiving medical treatment. We thank you for your prayers and well wishes." |
| Fr Murray was due to celebrate Mass at St Patrick's Church | Fr Murray was due to celebrate Mass at St Patrick's Church |
| An elderly parishioner, who was in the church when the incident occurred, said he heard women saying that Fr Murray was injured. | |
| He said the women would not let him into the sacristy, the room in a church where a priest prepares for a service. | |
| "Then the police arrived - there was commotion, everyone was talking. And then I heard the ambulance arrive," he said. | |
| "It was mayhem in the church. People were aghast at what happened." | |
| The parishioner, who said he knows Fr Murray well, described him as a "really brilliant man". | |
| Det Ch Insp McBurney said: "This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury." | Det Ch Insp McBurney said: "This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury." |
| The priest was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where police said he remained in a "serious condition". | |
| SDLP South Down assembly member Colin McGrath condemned the attack. | SDLP South Down assembly member Colin McGrath condemned the attack. |
| "This is a disgraceful attack on an elderly priest which has left him in a serious condition in hospital", said Mr McGrath. | "This is a disgraceful attack on an elderly priest which has left him in a serious condition in hospital", said Mr McGrath. |
| "For this to happen in the church is particularly disgusting and I have spoken to many members of the community who are shocked and upset that this has taken place. | "For this to happen in the church is particularly disgusting and I have spoken to many members of the community who are shocked and upset that this has taken place. |
| "My thoughts are with the priest and others impacted by this attack. I hope that he makes a quick recovery and that the person responsible is apprehended." | "My thoughts are with the priest and others impacted by this attack. I hope that he makes a quick recovery and that the person responsible is apprehended." |