Priest left with serious head injury after attack in County Down

A priest is being treated in hospital for a "serious head injury" after being hit with a bottle in Downpatrick.

He was attacked in St Patricks Church prior to a Mass service at about 10:10 BST on Sunday.

Police said that a man walked into the church on St Patricks Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before leaving.

In a statement on social media, Downpatrick Family Of Parishes said: "Fr Murray is currently receiving medical treatment. We thank you for your prayers and well wishes."

Det Ch Insp McBurney said: "This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury.

"The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of head injury, where he remains in a serious condition."