A man in his 30s remains in custody after a man was found dead in a house in Downpatrick, Co Down, yesterday.
The PSNI say they were separate but linked attacks.
A murder investigation was launched after the body of the man was found at an address in the Marian Park area, on the outskirts of Downpatrick, at around 12pm yesterday.
It came not long after Canon John Murray was assaulted in the sacristy of St Patrick’s Church in the town.
He had been preparing for 10.30am mass when the man approached him and asked him to hear a confession.
Parishioners gathered for a vigil yesterday evening
The parish priest was then attacked with a bottle and sustained a serious head injury.
Last night, hundreds of parishioners gathered for a vigil in memory of the murder victim and to pray for the recovery of Canon Murray.
Canon Murray is seriously ill but stable in hospital.
The church where he was assaulted remained sealed off last night. Masses there were cancelled until further notice.
The priest, who is in his 70s, was due to retire later this week. He had been preparing for his last Sunday mass when he was assaulted.
Police at the scene at Marian Park in Downpatrick yesterday
SDLP Councillor for Downpatrick Conor Galbraith said there is a sense of devastation, sadness and fear in the community following the two incidents.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said: “Waking up this morning, I am still receiving messages asking what can we do as councillors? It’s a really difficult 24 hours there at the minute.”
Mr Galbraith said he knew the family of the murder victim very well, and that that the man left behind two daughters and grandchildren.
He added: “It’s just really shocking to learn that something like this can happen on your doorstep.”
Speaking about Canon Murray, he said that the priest was very well known and a pillar of the community.
He said: “Yesterday would have been the beginning of the end of his last couple of masses.
“He’s very well known, he’s a very quiet man, but he’s also quite a pillar of the community here in Downpatrick.
“It was lovely to see the community come together (at the vigil) but there was just a sense of sadness.
“People are sort of just confused as to what has happened and why it has happened.”
‘Shocking series of events’ – priest
Father Eddie McGee, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Down and Connor, paid tribute to the family of the man who died, describing the case as a needless loss of life in such brutal circumstances.
He told the same programme: “My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, two daughters, and extended family.
“This is an absolutely shocking series of events that has taken place in what is a really historic and beautiful town.
“It’s very hard to capture how people are experiencing this this morning.”
Fr McGee said Canon Murray is highly respected and well liked.
“People are praying for his safety and recovery. He has received quite serious head injuries but he is stable,” he added.
Additional reporting PA