Orange Hall paint attack in Rasharkin being treated as hate crime
DUP councillor Mervyn Storey described it as "a sickening sectarian hate crime" and said it is "to be condemned in the strongest possible terms".
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BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Londonderry: Police say union flag theft was sectarian hate crime
An investigation is underway into the theft of a union flag which was being flown at a civil service building in Londonderry to mark Queen Camilla's News NI understands an Irish tricolour was erected in its Department for Communities said it was aware of the "unauthorised" removal of the union flag from its offices in Lisahally on 17 Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it was being treated as a "sectarian hate crime". Under legislation, the union flag is flown from government buildings in Northern Ireland on designated days each was being flown from the civil service building at Lisahally to mark the 78th birthday of Queen Camilla on 17 department did not confirm that the Irish flag was erected on the flagpole. But BBC News NI has spoken to workers who say this was the PSNI said the theft of the union flag was reported to them last Thursday afternoon and they have appealed for anyone with information to come forward. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) described the removal of the union flag and its replacement with the Irish tricolour as "an idiotic act"."Such silly attention-seeking behaviour is disrespectful and totally unacceptable," Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said. "Those involved should be dealt with by the law."Ulster Unionist councillor Darren Guy said those responsible were fuelled by "hate and sectarianism"."Over the past few weeks, we have had acts of theft and vandalism occur throughout the city and district," he said."Soldier statues beheaded at a memorial in Artigarvan; a historical US flag stolen from Foyle College; poppy wreaths had to be removed immediately after being laid in remembrance of the Battle of the Somme - the one left was stolen that night and countless attacks on Protestant homes in The Fountain [a mainly unionist estate]."Guy criticised the SDLP and Sinn Féin over their response to similar incidents."Yet, these actions fuelled by hate and sectarianism continue, unchallenged, from their own elected representatives," he said."If this is acceptable now, then it's not surprising that unionists will never want to be part of the pipe dream that is a united Ireland."But the criticism was rejected by Sinn Féin and the Féin said it had been "unequivocal, consistent and vocal" in asserting that all cultures must be respected."All and every incident of hate crime must be called out," a spokesperson said."In stark contrast we have seen the selective approach and double standards of unionist politicians in response to illegal bonfires and hate crimes." SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said the incidents were damaging community relations."The SDLP has always called urged tolerance around these issues and condemn those who engage in any attacks, sectarianism or intimidation," he said."I would urge anyone involved in this kind of activity to stop, they are achieving nothing but hurting their own city."
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
Police name mother and teenage children killed in Northern Ireland shooting
Police have named the mother and two children who were shot dead at their home in County Fermanagh. Vanessa Whyte, 45, a veterinary surgeon, and her son James Rutledge, 14, and daughter Sara Rutledge, 13, were killed on Wednesday at their detached house in Maguiresbridge, a village 8 miles from Enniskillen. A fourth casualty, a man who was a member of the same household, is in serious condition in hospital. Northern Ireland police said a triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of inquiry. 'Today, our thoughts remain with those loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart,' Ch Insp Neil McGuinness said on Thursday. 'Our investigation is continuing and I am keen to reiterate our appeal for anyone with information to get in touch. I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who had spoken to Vanessa, Sara or James over the last few weeks. 'If you are someone that Vanessa, Sara or James may have confided in, please come and speak to us. Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem could prove crucial to our investigation.' The shooting stunned the rural community and prompted tributes for the victims. 'We are heartbroken. May they rest in peace,' said a note left with flowers at the scene. Whyte, originally from Ennis, County Clare, in the Republic of Ireland, reportedly moved to Fermanagh several years ago and was employed by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Enniskillen. Colleagues and friends told local media she was a popular, down-to-earth woman who was devoted to her children. Enniskillen Royal Grammar School said it was mourning 'the loss of two vibrant and much valued pupils'. St Patrick's Lisbellaw Hurling Club and St Mary's Maguiresbridge Gaelic Football Club issued statements praising Whyte and her children as active, beloved members who will be desperately missed. Enniskillen Cricket Club said the children were talented players and had lovely natures. 'In what is a hard time for our small community, we would ask everyone to pull together and support each other through these difficult times,' it said. The Church of Ireland's Clogher diocese said the community would support family members 'in the difficult days that lie ahead' and asked the public to respect their privacy. The ambulance service said it received a call at 8.21am on Wednesday and dispatched emergency crews to the scene, where Whyte and one child were pronounced dead. An air ambulance took the injured man to the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast while an ambulance took the other child to a hospital in Enniskillen, where the teenager was pronounced dead. Pat Cullen, the Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, said people were mourning valued members of the community. 'Two wee children have lost their lives and a mummy, when they just should be enjoying the school holidays and having a wonderful time,' she told the BBC.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Tributes paid to government vet Vanessa Whyte after Co Fermanagh shooting
Tributes have been paid to 'hugely respected' government vet Vanessa Whyte, who died with her two children in an incident in Co Fermanagh. Ms Whyte, 45, who was originally from Co Clare, and her 14-year-old son James and 13-year-old daughter Sara died following a shooting. A fourth person, a man, remains in a serious condition in hospital after the incident in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge on Wednesday. All four people are members of the same household and all four suffered gunshot wounds, police said. A murder investigation has been launched and police are pursuing a triple murder and attempted suicide line of inquiry. Katrina Godfrey, permanent secretary at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), said they deeply regret the death of their colleague. 'We are deeply saddened by the passing of her and her children in these tragic circumstances,' she said. 'Vanessa was a valued member of our Veterinary Services and Animal Health Group and a hugely respected member of the veterinary profession. 'She will be greatly missed by all who worked alongside her. 'On behalf of the department, we offer our sincere condolences to her family, friends and all those in the community impacted by her and her children's deaths. 'They will remain in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days and months ahead as they and we come to terms with the loss.' Chief veterinary officer Brian Dooher said Ms White was a highly respected member of the DAERA Veterinary Services and Animal Health Group and a devoted mother and active member of her local community. 'Many of us had the privilege of knowing Vanessa personally and she was hugely admired by all those who came across her,' he said. 'The loss we feel today is immense and it has profoundly affected us. 'The next few days, weeks and months will be difficult for all who knew her – especially her family. 'We are thinking of her family, friends and neighbours at this time and we ask that people give everyone the time and space to come to terms with their loss at this difficult time.' Bishop of Clogher Larry Duffy said he was 'deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news of the death of a mother and two children near Maguiresbridge yesterday'. He said: 'While we do not know all the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, I am very aware that the news is causing deep distress in the community of Co Fermanagh and beyond. 'I assure the family of the deceased, and everyone affected by this tragedy, of my prayers and assure them of the prayerful support of the wider community.' St Patrick's Lisbellaw Hurling Club said all three were 'active and beloved members of our club and will be desperately missed'. 'We are working with the GAA at county, provincial and national level to implement the association's critical incident protocols,' it said. 'We will also work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it.' First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly on Wednesday expressed their shock at the tragedy. 'We are deeply saddened by the events which have unfolded in Maguiresbridge this morning,' they said in a joint statement. 'Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims and their families, and the wider community. 'We want to pay tribute to and thank our emergency services who responded to the incident.'
