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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| 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 a church in Downpatrick. | A priest is being treated in hospital for a "serious head injury" after being hit with a bottle in a church in Downpatrick. |
| Fr John Murray was attacked in St Patrick's Church prior to celebrating Mass at about 10:10 BST on Sunday. It is understood it was going to be his last Mass before he retired. | |
| Police said the attack "may be connected" to the death of a man in Downpatrick. | |
| The Diocese of Down and Connor, which includes St Patrick's Church, said Fr Murray was attacked by a man who had asked him to hear confession. | |
| 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". |
| Fr Murray was due to celebrate Mass at St Patrick's Church | Fr Murray was due to celebrate Mass at St Patrick's Church |
| Police said a man walked into the church on St Patrick's Avenue and hit the priest on the head before leaving. | |
| 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". |
| In an update on social media on Sunday evening, the church said Fr Murray was receiving "excellent medical care" and it was "hugely appreciative of all the well wishes and prayers". | In an update on social media on Sunday evening, the church said Fr Murray was receiving "excellent medical care" and it was "hugely appreciative of all the well wishes and prayers". |
| Mass has been cancelled until further notice, the church said, and the parish office will be closed to the public on Monday. | Mass has been cancelled until further notice, the church said, and the parish office will be closed to the public on Monday. |
| A prayer service is due to take place at St Brigid's Church in Downpatrick at 19:00 "for peace in our community". | A prayer service is due to take place at St Brigid's Church in Downpatrick at 19:00 "for peace in our community". |
| Sinn Féin councillor Oonagh Hanlon said Fr Murray was "a very much loved and respected parish priest". | Sinn Féin councillor Oonagh Hanlon said Fr Murray was "a very much loved and respected parish priest". |
| "Ironically he was about to celebrate his last mass here in Downpatrick, as he is due to retire during the month," she said. | "Ironically he was about to celebrate his last mass here in Downpatrick, as he is due to retire during the month," she said. |
| SDLP South Down assembly member Colin McGrath condemned the "disgraceful" attack. | SDLP South Down assembly member Colin McGrath condemned the "disgraceful" attack. |
| "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," he said. | "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," he said. |
| "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." |
| Diane Forsythe, a Democratic Unionist Party assembly member for the area, condemned the "shocking and disgraceful attack on a religious leader in a place of worship". | Diane Forsythe, a Democratic Unionist Party assembly member for the area, condemned the "shocking and disgraceful attack on a religious leader in a place of worship". |
| Alliance assembly member Andrew McMurray said the "heartbreaking" incidents had shocked the community. | Alliance assembly member Andrew McMurray said the "heartbreaking" incidents had shocked the community. |
| "Tonight, I will be standing alongside the people of Downpatrick at a special prayer service in response to today's events." | "Tonight, I will be standing alongside the people of Downpatrick at a special prayer service in response to today's events." |