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Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Broken hearts and many tears': Poignant service for mum and children killed in Fermanagh shooting
Vanessa Whyte (45), her son James Rutledge (14) and daughter Sara Rutledge (13) were shot in their home on Drummeer Road, Maguiresbridge, last Wednesday. The man suspected of killing them before turning the gun on himself, 43-year-old Ian Rutledge, died in hospital on Monday. Prayers will be said at St Mary's Church this morning before the remains of the mum and her teenage children are taken to Co Clare where a funeral Mass will be held on Saturday. First Minister Michelle O'Neill is among those attending the service for removal which began at 11am with the singing of hymns including Abide With Me and a reading from the Old Testament book of Lamentations. The homily will be delivered by Father Kevin Donnelly who acknowledged the church is 'filled with grief'. A death notice stated 'it is with broken hearts and many tears' that the family announce the tragic passing 'of our beloved Vanessa and her adored children'. 'Cherished and much-loved Vanessa, James and Sara will forever be in the hearts of their heartbroken family, remembered fondly by a devoted mother and loving grandmother Mary Whyte, sisters and brothers (aunts & uncles) Geraldine, Anita, Steve, Regina & Ivor and by their respective partners Michael, Bernie, Ciara and Anita's husband James," it adds. 'Sadly missed by all their heartbroken cousins Deirbhíle, Erin, James, Danielle, Aishling, Jack and Harry Joe. "They will be greatly missed by the extended Whyte family, friends, work colleagues and the wider GAA communities in both Fermanagh and Clare.' Vanessa is pre-deceased by her father and the children's grandfather Joe Whyte and her infant sister. Following the shootings, police said a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of inquiry detectives were pursuing. The Belfast Telegraph understands a legally held weapon was used in the shooting. The police investigation is ongoing, despite the death of the only suspect. Ms Whyte (45) and her daughter Sara Rutledge (13) died from gunshot wounds at their home on Drummeer Road, Maguiresbridge, last Wednesday, while 14-year-old James died from his injuries in hospital the following day. The only suspect in the case, Ian Rutledge, died from his injuries in hospital on Monday. This newspaper also understands the 999 emergency call was made from the home on July 23 at around 8am from Sara's phone before first responders arrived at the scene which police described as 'harrowing'. Rutledge was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital and was kept on life support until Monday. It's understood that one line of inquiry is that Rutledge left the home in Fermanagh he shared with Ms Whyte and their children the night before the shootings to retrieve a legally held weapon from a different location, with police keen to trace the movements of his silver Mercedes saloon car. Maguiresbridge vigil takes place as book of condolence opens at young shooting victims' former school PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness has asked anyone who saw the vehicle being driven in the Clones Road area of Newtownbutler, or between Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler, on the evening of Tuesday, July 22, to call detectives on 101. 'Anyone who was travelling in the area and who may have captured dash-cam footage which could assist, please get in touch,' he added. Vanessa, James and Sara will repose together in The Church of The Immaculate Conception in Barefield from 3pm to 7pm on Friday. Private removal will take place on Saturday morning with the funeral cortege arriving for Requiem Mass at 12pm before the family is laid to rest in Templemaley Cemetery. Mourners have been asked to wear bright and cheerful colours in celebration of their lives. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Women's Aid.
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
White Widow: Banbridge schoolgirl turned Islamic terrorist connected to 7/7 attacks remains at large
Samantha Lewthwaite, known as the infamous 'White Widow' was born in Banbridge in 1983She has been linked to the 7/7 London attacks after her husband Germaine Lindsay killed 27 people, including himself, on a train car in LondonLewthwaite allegedly remains at large in terrorist activities in Somalia The so-called 'White Widow' is one of the world's most wanted Islamic terror suspects. Samantha Lewthwaite has been linked to 400 deaths and the 7/7 attacks, and is alleged to remain at large in Somalia. She's been on the wanted list in multiple countries for 20 years – and she's from Banbridge. After spending her early years in the county Down town she moved with family to Elsbury, near Birmingham. After converting to Islam in her late teens, she married Germaine Lindsay – who would later become infamous for his role as a suicide bomber in the London 7/7 attacks in 2005. The White Widow is rumoured to currently be in the company of terrorist group Al-Shabaab in Somalia. How did she go from County Down school girl to a hunted Al-Qaebeda suspect? Belfast Telegraph reporter James McNaney has been researching this extraordinary story, he joins Ciarán Dunbar.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland striker wants move to keep World Cup dream alive
The Belfast Telegraph understands that a host of clubs have shown interest in the striker over the summer with League One teams Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers plus Scottish Premiership side Dundee leading the race.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Inside Noel Gallagher's and Meg Mathews' 'Supernova Heights' home with leopard print and retro decor
The former couple once shared a stunning home in London which was branded 'Supernova Heights' due to the iconic parties held there. 'Supernova Heights' was the nickname given to Noel Gallagher and Meg Mathews' plush London pad they shared together in the 90s which was known for having iconic A-lister parties. The swanky abode was filled with sixties retro furniture, bespoke leather beds, seventies-style toilets, psychedelic patterned carpets and one huge fish tank. The address also housed many a famous face, including Kate Moss. Speaking about his time in Supernova Heights, Noel told the Belfast Telegraph that he sold the plush pad when he gave up drugs, he said: "Yes, is the short answer to that. I had the house for two and a half years and it felt like I lived in there for a lifetime, for a decade." He was then asked if anyone could just turn up to the mansion, and Noel said: "Not anyone. But to be honest, though, on more than one occasion, you'd look around the room and I'd say to somebody; 'Who the f**k is that guy there?' 'Oh, he delivered the pizzas here about four or five hours ago'. It was great. Steve Coogan was my answering machine message." In 1997, Noel revealed how he tormented a group of unsuspecting fangirls who turned up wanting supermodel Kate Moss' autograph. "Kate Moss'd be staying here for a couple of weeks and I've got loads of shopping, so I'm trying to open the gate and there was these four girls, they've got these books and they're going, 'Can you get me Kate's autograph'?" he told radio host Sean Rowley. 'You're coming round 'ere, to my 'ouse, asking for supermodel' autographs? You taking the piss, or what? Do you not want mine? Well, I'll tell you what, you're not going until you have mine. You're having my autograph now!' "Supernova Heights was great for the time but then there came a point when I thought, 'I need to get out of this'." "I can look back on it and say it was a good time, but I made some fundamental mistakes in my life," he told the Guardian. Noel then sold the home to Hollyoaks actress Davinia Taylor and her then-partner Dave Gardner and then it was sold again in 2005 to David Walliams. Let's take a look inside the £8million Primrose Hill party pad Noel and Meg shared back in Britpop's heyday... Supernova Heights Iconic Leopard living Mod bath More On Noel Gallagher Oasis Oasis reunion Meg Mathews
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
‘I loved those kids as if they were mine': Childminder ‘broken' by Fermanagh shooting tragedy
Jenny Bowles also spoke of how the community has been 'broken' by the suspected triple murder and attempted suicide near Maguiresbridge. Vanessa Whyte (45) died along with her children James (14) and 13-year-old Sara. Last night hundreds gathered for a vigil in memory of the three. People wrapped their arms around each other at the event, which was organised by a community group and held at the local primary school that James and Sara once attended. First Minister Michelle O'Neill was among the crowd. Also present was Ms Bowles, who was childminder for James and Sara for eight years from when they were about three months old each. She said the tragedy has left the community shattered. 'Our family — we're just devastated,' she told the Belfast Telegraph. 'James and Sara were just like our own children. We treated them like our own family and they both were very fond of my own two boys, Jordan and Adam. 'James looked to Jordan and Adam as his brothers. They were his role models. 'Vanessa was such a lovely person, very hard-working and a very strong person. 'To describe her, she was just so lovely. James and Sara were great. They loved the outdoors. 'James loved machinery, especially the harvester at this time of the year. Sara loved the animals on the farm. 'They were big into their sports, and I know when we had James at our house he loved the football.' The shooting happened at a house near Maguiresbridge on Wednesday morning. Vanessa and Sara were pronounced dead at the scene. James died a short time later in the South West Acute Hospital from the injuries he sustained. A man remains in a critical condition at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Describing her reaction to the tragedy, Ms Bowles added: 'I just went into complete shock. I couldn't even find the words to tell my husband. We are just heartbroken. 'Sara and James were just part of our family. They loved outdoors, and they would have rather been out helping and working, rather than sitting in, playing with toys. James absolutely loved getting out to help my husband in the workshop and making wee things out there or tidying up. 'They were just an exceptional family. Vanessa was just exceptional in every way, and so were the children. 'To describe the community, I would say... broken. 'James had really wanted to get to Enniskillen Royal Grammar School too, because Jordan and Adam had gone there, and he achieved that.' She also told how James had become an Arsenal supporter, because her own two sons were. Jenny added that the local community has been 'amazing' in the unity they've shown and praised the fact all denominations have been able to 'come together under some tragic circumstances'. Multiple clergy led the large crowds in prayer at the vigil, including Rev Rodney Beacom, a local Presbyterian minister; Passionist priest Brian D'Arcy, and the Church of Ireland's Rev Lindsey Farrell. A two-minute silence was held, with a poem read by the vice chairperson of Maguiresbridge Development Association, Sonya Smith. She recited: 'How do we go on? After the unthinkable happens, how can we carry the burden of knowing? The world can be cruel and dangerous, the future so unpredictable.' Also in attendance at the vigil was the local MP Pat Cullen, former MP Michelle Gildernew, and MLAs Aine Murphy, Jemma Dolan and Deborah Erskine. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir was also there. Ms Whyte had worked for his department, and had recently been promoted to the most senior government vet within Co Fermanagh. Watch: DUP Leader Gavin Robinson pays respects to mother and children killed in Fermanagh shooting She had also formerly been part of the Maguiresbridge Running Club. Yesterday evening, some of its members remembered her as being 'full of life' and 'very determined'. 'Just for someone so ordinary, so hardworking, the soul of the community and of so many different clubs and in a cross-community capacity — she didn't deserve that,' one member said. Another said that the running club's route often takes them past the family's house, noting that 'it will never be the same' each time they pass it now. Many people stayed after the vigil for hours, queuing to sign the book of condolences that has been set up for members of the public to pay their respects to Ms Whyte and her children. Members of all ages from St Mary's Maguiresbridge Gaelic football club, and Lisbellaw Hurling Club, of which all three shooting victims were 'active and beloved' members, walked together to the vigil from the local GAA pitch. St Mary's described Sara as 'a joy to be around and always had a smile on her face'. The club said that James, who was captain of the under-14 team this year, 'was the heartbeat of our team and he had the confidence to be vocal and show leadership to younger team members'. They said that Ms Whyte 'had a passion for our games that encompassed everything good about the GAA showing dedication, sportsmanship, and camaraderie, and it was clear to see how Vanessa instilled these same values in her children'. James and Sara both attended Enniskillen Royal, and the school announced that it will be open all of next week for any of its students or other young people that need help and support.
