Murdered grandfather was always willing to help others, family says

An individual in a forensic protective suit is walking into a propertyPA Media

A forensic team were at the house in Marian Park on Monday morning

Hayley Halpin
BBC News NI

The man who was murdered in Downpatrick, County Down, on Sunday has been remembered as a much loved father and a loving grandfather.

Stephen Brannigan was in his 50s, police say.

Officers went to a house in Marian Park at about 12:00 BST on Sunday after a report that a body had been found.

Police said the murder may be connected to the attack on a local priest, in St Patrick's Church in the town.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested over the murder as well as on suspicion of the attempted murder of Fr John Murray. He remains in custody.

In a statement, the family of Mr Brannigan said he was known among his neighbours and friends as someone who was always willing to help out and "ready to do whatever needed to be done for the good of others".

The day before he died, he was tending to friends' graves while visiting the grave of his late wife, Dorenda, "as he did, almost every day".

Mr Brannigan is remembered as a "dearly beloved" husband, a "much loved" father of two daughters and a "loving grandfather" of six in his death notice.

He "faced many difficult issues in his life", according to his family.

"We know his life was not perfect, but for us, he was our dad, our granddad, our son and our brother.

"His rock through all of this was Dorenda. We pray they will be reunited now in perfect peace and love."

The family also thanked "those who have surrounded us with such love and care" since Mr Brannigan's death.

They said the public's outreach "reflects the very special people who make up the Marian Park and wider Downpatrick community".

Police appeal

Police are appealing to anyone who was in the St Patrick's Avenue area of Downpatrick between 09:00 and 11:00 BST on Sunday, or the Marian Park area between 00:00 and 12:00 on Sunday, to come forward.

Marian Park is a small housing estate high above Downpatrick, just off Saul Street and overlooking the playing fields at the Lecale Trinity school.

There will be an increased police presence in the area over the next few days, police said.

A grey end of terrace house. There is a white car and a PSNI car parked outside. There is also a police officer outside the property.

The body was found at Marian Park on Sunday

Speaking to BBC News NI on Monday, Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor Conor Galbraith said the victim was a local painter and decorator.

"He was always just known as a quiet lad up in the Marion Park area and always willing to help out whenever the neighbours needed it," he said.

He met the victim's two daughters on Sunday and described them as "totally, totally devastated".

A man with black and grey hair and a brown and black beard, looking at the camera. He is wearing a black, grey and white check shirt. He is standing on the road, in front of a T-junction. There is a church and a row of trees to the back of the junction and a blue sky above.

Councillor Conor Galbraith described the victim as a "quiet lad"

Hundreds of people attended a vigil in St Brigid's Church in Downpatrick on Sunday evening.

"That seemed to bring the community together to give them the opportunity to support one another as well," he said.

"It was just really nice to see the community come together after such terrible incidents yesterday."

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