Priest is 'bottled by man who walked into church before mass'

A priest has been rushed to hospital after he was 'bottled by a man who walked into church before mass'.

Father John Murray was hit on the head at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, today.

In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the priest was in a 'serious condition' in hospital after what has been described by detectives as a 'brutal attack'.

Fr Murray was believed to have been preparing for one of his last Masses before retiring when the attack took place in the church's sacristy at 10.10am, according to Belfast Live.

A PSNI spokesperson said: 'It was reported to police at around 10.10am on Sunday, 10th August that a man had walked into the church on St Patrick's Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before leaving.