Murder inquiry launched after man’s death

Police have launched a murder inquiry after the death of a man in Downpatrick.

Officers went to a house in Marian Park at about 12:00 BST on Sunday.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

Police suspect the case might be connected to a serious assault on a priest in St Patrick’s Church in the town.

Police said a man walked into the church on St Patrick’s Avenue and hit the priest on his head before leaving.

Det Ch Insp McBurney said it “was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury”.

The priest was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where police said he remained in a “serious condition”.