PA MediaThe man who was murdered in Downpatrick, County Down, on Sunday has been remembered as a much loved father and a loving grandfather.
Stephen Brannigan was in his 50s, police say.
Officers went to a house in Marian Park at about 12:00 BST on Sunday after a report that a body had been found.
Police said one line of inquiry is that the murder may be connected to the attack on a local priest, in St Patrick’s Church in the town.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested over the murder as well as on suspicion of the attempted murder of Fr John Murray. He remains in custody.
In a death notice, Mr Brannigan was remembered as a “dearly beloved” husband, a “much loved” father of two daughters and a “loving grandfather” of six.
Police are appealing to anyone who was in the St Patrick’s Avenue area of Downpatrick between 09:00 and 11:00 BST on Sunday, or the Marian Park area between 00:00 and 12:00 on Sunday, to come forward.
Marian Park is a small housing estate high above Downpatrick, just off Saul Street and overlooking the playing fields at the Lecale Trinity school.
There will be an increased police presence in the area over the next few days, they added.
Speaking to BBC News NI on Monday, Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor Conor Galbraith said the victim was a local painter and decorator.
“He was always just known as a quiet lad up in the Marion Park area and always willing to help out whenever the neighbours needed it,” he said.
He met the victim’s two daughters on Sunday and described them as “totally, totally devastated”.
Hundreds of people attended a vigil in St Brigid’s Church in Downpatrick on Sunday evening.
“That seemed to bring the community together to give them the opportunity to support one another as well,” he said.
“It was just really nice to see the community come together after such terrible incidents yesterday.”
Bishop Alan McGuckian said he has not spoken to the Brannigan family yet, but added the local clergy is “looking out for them”.
“I hope to go to Downpatrick tomorrow, to see the family of Stephen Brannigan,” Bishop McGuckian told BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra programme.
“I am going to say mass with the community and reach out to the family and to everyone who is so shocked by what has happened.”