Mr Brannigan has been described by his family as a “beloved” father and grandfather.
Funeral details have been announced for Stephen (Stevie) Brannigan, who was killed in Co Down at the weekend.
The body of Mr Brannigan , 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.
On Wednesday, a man appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan and the attempted murder of Fr Murray. Hugh Malone, 30, of no fixed address but from the Belfast area, appeared via videolink from Musgrave police station at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court.
READ MORE: Hugh Malone appears in court charged with Downpatrick murderREAD MORE: Mass held after Downpatrick priest attack and murder of man
Mr Brannigan has previously been described by his family as a “beloved” father and grandfather. His funeral details were released on Wednesday evening.
A funeral notice described him as the dearly beloved husband of the late Dorenda, and much loved father of Gemma and Ciara, loving grandfather of Sophie, Lily, Connor, Clodagh, Holly and Ruairi, dear son of Gerry and Kathleen, and brother of Damien, Michelle, Adrian and Paul.
His funeral will leave from his parents’ home on Saturday, 16 August at 12.30pm to St. Brigid’s Church, Downpatrick for Requiem Mass at 1pm with interment afterwards in Struell Cemetery.Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects at his parents’ home, 9 Rath Cuan Heights, Downpatrick on Thursday, 14 August and Friday, 15 August between 2pm – 9pm. Family only on the morning of the funeral please.
In a statement released on Monday, Mr Brannigan’s family said: “In the midst of our shock, pain and total heartbreak at the news of the brutal murder of our beloved dad, grandad, son and brother Stephen yesterday, we want to convey our sincere thanks to all those who have surrounded us with such love and care in the hours that have followed.
“We want to express our particular thanks to those who organised and gathered for the beautiful prayer vigil in St Brigid’s Church in the town on Sunday evening. It means so much to us at this difficult time and reflects the very special people who make up the Marian Park and wider Downpatrick community.”
The family also said they wanted to convey their concern for Fr Murray, who remains in hospital.
The statement added: “Fr John is highly respected by our family and by all in our community. It is so typical of his kindness that he was willing to reach out in trust to someone he believed was in distress, despite the obvious risk to himself.
“With so many others, we pray for his full recovery and thank him for his own prayers for us which he has conveyed through the priests of the parish.
“Stephen was known among his neighbours and friends as someone who was always willing to help out, ready to do whatever needed to be done for the good of others.
“Even the day before he died, he was tending the graves of friends and neighbours, as he did, almost every day, the grave of his late wife Dorenda, who died five years ago from cancer.
“Stephen faced many difficult issues in his life. We know his life was not perfect. But for us, he was our dad, our grandad, our son and our brother.
“His rock through all of this was Dorenda. We pray they will be reunited now in perfect peace and love.”
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