5 days ago
‘Everyone is in shock' – Community horrified as mum and two children killed in suspected murder
The three victims of the Maguiresbridge shooting have been named as Vanessa Whyte, originall from Clare, and her two children, James and Sarah.
A tightknit Clare community has reacted with horror to the news a local mother was killed alongside her two children in a suspected Fermanagh murder-attempted suicide.
The three victims of the Maguiresbridge shooting have been named as Vanessa Whyte and her two children, James and Sarah.
All three died having suffered gunshot injuries at a property on the Drummeer Road yesterday morning in Maguiresbridge.
A man in his 40s, who also suffered gunshot wounds, remains in a serious condition in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Ms Whyte, who is in her 40s, is originally from Ennis in Co Clare.
The PSNI has issued a direct appeal to anyone the victims of the shooting "may have confided in" prior to their deaths.
A murder investigation has now been launched with police today asking to speak to anyone who may have spoken to Vanessa or her children in the weeks prior to their deaths.
In an update this morning, Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: '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.'
Vanessa Whyte with her two children James and Sara.
Councillor Mary Howard, who is from Ennis and knows the Whyte family, said the entire community was in deep shock over the realisation a local family is connected to the Fermanagh tragedy.
"I only heard this morning about the Clare connection to the Fermanagh tragedy and everyone here is in shock," she said.
"No one can believe that a young mother and her two beautiful children could lose their lives in such circumstances - it really is heartbreaking."
Councillor Howard extended her deepest sympathies to the Whyte family on their loss.
"All I can say is that they will be in our thoughts and prayers over the coming days," she said.
"On behalf of the local community, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to them on this tragedy."
Ms Whyte was said to be an ardent Gaelic games fan. Her two children were involved with Fermanagh GAA clubs.
Ennis GAA sources said she would regularly attend Banner County hurling championship matches over the years - attending matches in Ennis, Thurles and Croke Park.
One local said she was "over the moon" when Clare beat Cork to win the Liam McCarthy Cup last year.
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During a media briefing yesterday afternoon, Superintendent Robert McGowan said the person in hospital is a male adult who has a 'limited footprint' with police.
The officer added there is a 'limited domestic history' involving those in the household and that police were alerted from inside the house.
He said: 'The alarm was raised, I believe, by a phone call made from the house.'
The PSNI said it is 'not anticipated at this stage that any further arrests will be made'.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it received a 999 call at 8.21am and dispatched three emergency ambulances, one rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers and an ambulance doctor to the scene.
Supt McGowan, who is the local district commander, stated that detectives are treating the case as a possible triple murder and attempted suicide.
Investigators are also examining whether mental health played a role in the tragedy.
Ms Whyte and her children were "active and beloved' members of both St Mary's Maguiresbridge Gaelic Football Club and Lisbellaw St. Patrick's Hurling Club in the area.
Both organisations said they are 'working with the GAA at county, provincial and national level, to implement the Association's critical incident protocols'.
Ms Whyte also volunteered as the Coaching Officer at the hurling club, and helped with its underage training sessions. She was previously praised for her dedication to the club's development.
Sinn Féin MP for the area Pat Cullen told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme this morning: 'There's just a feeling of disbelief in the community and certainly amongst ourselves. To say we're absolutely heartbroken is really an understatement, I don't think any of us can find words.
'Two wee children have lost their lives, and a mummy, when they should just be enjoying the school holidays and having a wonderful time. You can see from the tributes that they belonged to the local Lisbellaw hurling club and St Mary's Gaelic club and they were really a part of the community, the fabric of the community.
'The people here are almost silent, we were in the community yesterday, and you could almost see mothers holding tightly to their young children as they stood.
'The one thing that I will say about Maguiresbridge and the people in it: the churches, the Gaelic clubs ; and wider community will definitely wrap their arms around each other and get through this.'
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she was 'heartbroken' following the news.
"My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the local community,' she wrote online.
"I have no doubt that the people of Maguiresbridge will come together and support one another though this incredibly difficult time.'
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described the incident as 'terrible news'.
"Truly devastating to hear of this terrible and violent event,' she wrote.
'My thoughts at this dreadful time are with the loved ones, family and friends but most of all for the tragedy of the lives cut off so cruelly."
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said his thoughts are with the victims, families of the deceased and the local community following the 'deeply distressing' tragedy.
'I would urge the public not to speculate and to allow the PSNI to continue their investigation,' he added.
Dame Arlene Foster – who grew up and still lives in Co Fermanagh – described the incident as a 'horrific act'.
