Funeral of mum and children killed in Fermanagh shooting expected to take place in Clare
Vanessa Whyte, her son James and daughter Sara were shot at their Co. Fermanagh home on Wednesday.
Ms Whyte's estranged husband was found with serious gunshot wounds in what the North's police believe was an attempted murder-suicide. Vanessa Whyte with her two children James and Sara. Pic: Facebook
Fr Tom Fitzpatrick, parish priest in Barefield, Co. Clare, told Clare FM yesterday that although no details have been finalised, it's the family's wish that the funeral be held in Clare.
Ms Whyte, 45, a veterinarian, was killed along with her son James Rutledge, 14, and daughter Sara Rutledge, 13, in a gun attack at their home in Maguiresbridge, Co. Fermanagh.
Clare FM reported that Ms Whyte 'was a frequent visitor to friends and family in Barefield and was a keen Clare GAA supporter, even attending last year's All-Ireland hurling final with Sara and James'. People attend a vigil for shooting victims Vanessa Whyte, 45 and her children, James, 14, and Sara, 13, during a vigil at Maguiresbridge Primary School, in Co Fermanagh Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Last night, hundreds of people gathered for a community vigil in Maguiresbridge to remember the three victims.
The vigil was organised by a community group and held at Maguiresbridge Primary School, which James and Sara previously attended. A book of condolence was also opened at the school.
School principal Honor Irvine described James and Sara as popular pupils who loved sport. 'I taught them both for two years,' she told PA. Vanessa Whyte (centre) with Sara Rutledge and James Rutledge. Pic: PSNI/PA Wire
'James was full of fun, always laughing, loved to get a laugh, loved to be outdoors. Sara was the same. Sara loved outdoors, bit of a tomboy, and the two of them got on very well, [had] lots of friends and were very popular in school.'
Ms Irvine described their mother Vanessa, who was a member of the parents' support group which organised fundraisers for the school, as 'full of life', and a 'roll up your sleeves, get the job done' type of person.
She said the vigil, facilitated by the school, offered a place for the community to grieve together.
'It's been lovely to hear people who knew Vanessa and knew Sara and knew James, talking about them and sharing memories. For the community, it's a place to mourn together and to support and comfort each other.'
She said the family were 'much loved' and would 'live on in our memories at Maguiresbridge Primary School for many, many years to come'.
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