Downpatrick: man appears in court charged with murder and attempted murder

A man appeared in court today (Wednesday) charged with the murder of Stephen Brannigan and the attempted murder of a priest in Downpatrick.

Hugh Malone, 30, with no fixed address but from the Belfast area, appeared via videolink at Newtownards Magistrates' Court.

There was no application for bail and he was was remanded in custody until September 4.

The body of Mr Brannigan, who was aged 56, was found in a house in Marian Park in Downpatrick on Sunday afternoon.

On the same day, Father John Murray was attacked at St Patrick's Church in the town.