A priest is in a serious condition after being assaulted in a Co Down church.
Police said he was hit with a bottle in St Patrick’s Church at St Patrick’s Avenue in Downpatrick just after 10am.
In a statement on social media, the Downpatrick Family of Parishes said that Fr John Murray is receiving medical treatment.
The assault occurred around 20 minutes before 10.30am Mass at St Patrick’s Church in the town.
The PSNI described the assault as a ‘shocking and brutal attack’
Detective Chief Inspector McBurney said: “This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury.”
The PSNI has appealed to any witnesses or anyone with information relating to the incident to contact them.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it had received a call to the area of the church at around 10.22am.
The ambulance service said it had also responded to an emergency call in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick just before midnight last night.
That scene remains an ongoing incident.