Man charged after priest attacked with a bottle and second man killed

A man has been charged with murder and attempted murder after a man was found dead and a priest was assaulted.

Stephen Brannigan was found dead hours after Father John Murray was assaulted while preparing a service at St Patrick’s Church in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, on Sunday morning.

Father Murray was allegedly attacked with a glass bottle, and taken to hospital in a serious condition with a head injury.

Hours later, a murder inquiry was launched after reports that a man had died around midday.

Mr Brannigan, 56, was found dead in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on Sunday afternoon.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have now charged a 30-year-old man with murder and attempted murder.

He is due to appear at Newtownards magistrates court tomorrow (August 13).

Al