Maguiresbridge mourns as book of condolences opens at shooting victims' former primary school

Sunday World

2 days ago

Respects were paid to Vanessa Whyte (45) and her children James (13) and Sara (14) at Maguiresbridge Primary School.
A book of condolence was set up in Maguiresbridge,Primary School. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
A book of condolence was set up in Maguiresbridge,Primary School. Inset: Vanessa Whyte and her two children, James and Sara
Crowds of people have paid tribute as a book of condolences was opened to commemorate the three victims of a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh.
Streams of people journeyed to Maguiresbridge Primary School today and paid their respects to Vanessa Whyte (45) and her children James (13) and Sara (14).
Both children had previously attended the school.
Police have since launched a murder investigation and are pursuing a murder-attempted suicide bid as a line of enquiry.
A book of condolence was set up in Maguiresbridge,Primary School. Inset: Vanessa Whyte and her two children, James and Sara
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The tribute, organised by the Maguiresbridge Rural Development Association, saw a photo of the three victims surrounded by lit candles.
The school's principal, Honor Irvine, explained that she knew both Sara and James 'really well' having taught them for two years each.
Ms Irvine said the pair were well-loved and that 'they just wanted to achieve' with Vanessa 'supporting them with everything that they did'.
'James loved sport. He loved to be outdoors — he loved farming,' she told the Belfast Telegraph.
'Sara was the same, she built up and had great friendships in the school, loved the outdoors, full of life. But they were very good at their studies as well, academically, very good and had both transferred on to Enniskillen Grammar School, where again, they were achieving and doing really well.
'Just two lovely all-around pupils, lots of friends, very popular in the school and a lot of friends they maintained into post-primary school.'
A book of condolence was set up in Maguiresbridge,Primary School. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
A trophy earned by James for his efforts with the school's initiatives was also on display in the school.
Both teenagers were active members of the GAA community and played for Lisbellaw Hurling Club and St Mary's GFC.
Vanessa was a veterinarian and worked with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Several of her colleagues have signed the book.
Ms Irvine added: 'We all felt that there was a need for somewhere for the community to come together to share stories and we've had a group of vets just in from DAERA talking about Vanessa.'
DUP leader Gavin Robinson signed the book alongside the party's MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Deborah Erskine.
Mr Robinson told the media how it was vital a space was created so that those grieving can 'pay their respects and indicate the personal sorrow that they feel'.
The east Belfast MP said: 'Inside we could hear very clearly the deep affection that they have for James and Sara and their mother Vanessa.
'The stories that they shared with us about the experience in this primary school, within the classroom, the joy that was brought to the classroom just brings home how shocking, how tragic and how sorrowful this is an experience for the local Maguiresbridge family and community.
'So for us today, it's an opportunity to give respectful remembrance to three lost lives that should not have been lost and to give support to a wider community that will gather this evening for a vigil [and] will come together and I know will support one another in what is a most difficult, difficult time and so we were pleased to be here to offer our sincere condolences and support to the families and to this community.'
Ms Erskine added that the community will 'wrap their arms around' the family whose lives 'have been turned completely upside-down'.
She continued: 'We've seen how churches have cancelled their events, we've seen a band has cancelled their parade, and we've seen how the GAA have opened up their facilities for people.'
A fourth person, a man who was a member of the same household, remains in a serious condition in hospital in Belfast following the incident on Wednesday.
Flowers left near the scene in Maguiresbridge Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Superintendent Robert McGowan told reporters earlier in the week that the individual has 'a limited footprint' with the PSNI as well as a 'limited domestic history'.
While Mr Robinson acknowledged the necessity of the Stormont strategy end violence against women and girls, he said that sometimes 'no matter what the government does, you will still see tragedy'.
'I think the Executive is collective in its desire to do what it can to stamp out the scourge of violence we see in our society, particularly towards women and girls and that we recognise, in this case, the victims do not solely confine themselves to women and girls, because there's a young boy, that has been killed as well.'
Maguiresbridge Christ Church Reverend, Reverend Lindsey Farrell, told the Belfast Telegraph of the devastation the local community has suffered.
Rev Farrell had known of both Sara and James and offered her prayers to all those afflicted by the tragedy.
She said: 'We are a strong community here at Maguiresbridge and the vigil that is planned for this evening is hoped to provide a mechanism of support for the community. And it is hoped that it will be a show of love and support for the family members who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.'