Priest left with ‘serious head injury’ after attack

A priest is treated in the hospital for a “serious head trauma” after being shot with a bottle in Downpatrick.

He was attacked at St Patrick Church before the mass service at 10:10 on Sunday.

Police said that a man entered the church on St Patrick Street and hit a nun with a bottle before leaving.

In a statement on social media, the Downpatrick community family said: “Fr Murray is currently getting medical treatment. Thank you for your prayers and good wishes.”

“This was a completely shocking and ruthless attack, and the priest left the priest with a serious head trauma.”

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) sent an emergency ambulance to the royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) in the priest Belfast.

Police said the priest had stayed in a serious situation.