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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Downpatrick: Priest left with 'serious head injury' after attack | Downpatrick: Priest left with 'serious head injury' after attack |
| (about 1 hour 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. |
| They said the attack "may be connected" to the death of a man in Downpatrick. | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | "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." | "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". | The parishioner, who said he knows Fr Murray well, described him as a "really brilliant man". |
| He also said Fr Murray was officially retired but was helping out when needed. | |
| 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". | The priest was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where police said he remained in a "serious condition". |
| Downpatrick Family Of Parishes said: "Fr Murray is currently receiving medical treatment. We thank you for your prayers and well wishes." | |
| Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard said the community was "deeply saddened and horrified" by the death and the "vicious attack" on Fr Murray. | |
| "My thoughts are with all those affected by these tragic events, parishioners who were on their way to Mass this morning, and the emergency services who attended the scenes." | |
| 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." |