Latest news with #EnniskillenRoyalGrammar
The Guardian
16 hours ago
- The Guardian
Fourth person dies after shooting last week in Northern Ireland
A fourth person has died after a shooting in County Fermanagh in which a mother and two children were killed. Police said Ian Rutledge, 43, had died in hospital after the incident in Maguiresbridge last Wednesday. Vanessa Whyte, 45, a vet originally from County Clare, her son James, 14, and daughter Sara, 13, died earlier. A murder investigation was launched last week. Northern Ireland police said a triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of inquiry. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Monday that Rutledge had been in hospital in a serious condition, and had died. 'Detectives have reiterated their appeal for anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward,' a police spokesperson said. The shooting stunned the rural community and prompted tributes to the victims. 'We are heartbroken. May they rest in peace,' a note left with flowers at the scene said. Whyte, originally from Ennis, County Clare in the Republic of Ireland, reportedly moved to Fermanagh several years ago and was employed by the Department of 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'. The ambulance service said it had 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
School to remember murdered brother and sister 'for years to come'
The schoolmates and teachers of two murdered teenagers will feel "the ripple effects of the tragic events for years to come," their school principal has said. James and Sara Rutledge were fatally shot alongside their mother, Vanessa Whyte, in a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh, on Wednesday. Sara, who was 13, and her 14-year-old brother James were both pupils at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. "As a school we are stunned and shocked at the loss of two wonderful young people," said its principal, Elizabeth Armstrong. "They were just full of life, they were both such lively and intelligent, funny young people." She added: "We'll remember their academic achievements and their love of sport. "Sara loved netball and Gaelic and James loved cricket. "So it's just a very difficult time and very difficult for everyone to come to terms with." Victims' friends came in to support each other A man - who is a member of the same household - is being treated for serious gunshot injuries at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. A book of condolences opened on Friday morning at Maguiresbridge Primary School, where James and Sara previously attended. A vigil was held in the primary school grounds on Friday evening. Enniskillen Royal Grammar also opened its doors on Friday for staff and pupils to meet and write in a book of memories about James and Sara. Ms Armstrong said many of the children's close friends came in to support each other. "They just wanted to remember what Sara and James meant to them and it was lovely to hear those memories," she said. "Our message to our pupils and families is that we're here to help, we're here to listen and we're here to say there still is hope in coming together." The principal added: "We as a school will just remember Sara and James' warmth and their personalities that shone through. "So it's about remembering their joy even in the midst of such sadness and the gift that those young people gave us as a school community." People 'found strength' at school vigil Analysis by BBC News NI South West reporter Elaine Mitchell In what was once their primary school, hundreds of people signed the book of condolences in memory of former pupils James and Sara and their mum Vanessa. Half a mile away, football jerseys, flowers and a cuddly toy have been left in tribute to them on the Drummeer Road, close to their family home. Grief hangs over this quiet village like a shadow. But people in the community do not want this sadness to overcome them. At the vigil held in the grounds of Maguiresbridge Primary School on Friday night, local people found strength in each other, and they will continue to do so. The children's 45-year-old mother was originally from Barefield, County Clare, in the Republic of Ireland. At the time of her death, Ms Whyte was employed by Stormont's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera). Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said she was a "highly respected vet and a work colleague". Ms Whyte had previously worked at Lakeland Vets in Derrygonnelly, County Fermanagh, where staff remembered her as a "devoted mum" and a "lovely person". Enniskillen Royal Grammar School is setting up a support facility for pupils, parents and staff at its Cooper Crescent site. In a statement on Thursday, the Western Health Trust said it is working closely with the Education Authority and local community groups to support any children that may be affected by the incident. A flute band, Defenders of the Rock has cancelled its annual band parade in nearby Lisbellaw on Saturday, in light of the incident. Vigil held for murdered mother and two children Childminder said she loved murdered brother and sister 'like they were her own' Shooting victim was 'devoted mum to Sara and James' Mum and children killed in shooting 'valued and much loved' Mother and two children killed in Fermanagh shooting
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Enniskillen: School to remember gun victims 'for years to come'
The schoolmates and teachers of two murdered teenagers will feel "the ripple effects of the tragic events for years to come," their school principal has said. James and Sara Rutledge were fatally shot alongside their mother, Vanessa Whyte, in a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh, on who was 13, and her 14-year-old brother James were both pupils at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. "As a school we are stunned and shocked at the loss of two wonderful young people," said its principal, Elizabeth Armstrong. "They were just full of life, they were both such lively and intelligent, funny young people."She added: "We'll remember their academic achievements and their love of sport."Sara loved netball and Gaelic and James loved cricket."So it's just a very difficult time and very difficult for everyone to come to terms with." Victims' friends came in to support each other A man - who is a member of the same household - is being treated for serious gunshot injuries at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.A book of condolences opened on Friday morning at Maguiresbridge Primary School, where James and Sara previously attended.A vigil was held in the primary school grounds on Friday Royal Grammar also opened its doors on Friday for staff and pupils to meet and write in a book of memories about James and Armstrong said many of the children's close friends came in to support each other."They just wanted to remember what Sara and James meant to them and it was lovely to hear those memories," she said."Our message to our pupils and families is that we're here to help, we're here to listen and we're here to say there still is hope in coming together."The principal added: "We as a school will just remember Sara and James' warmth and their personalities that shone through."So it's about remembering their joy even in the midst of such sadness and the gift that those young people gave us as a school community." People 'found strength' at school vigil Analysis by BBC News NI South West reporter Elaine MitchellIn what was once their primary school, hundreds of people signed the book of condolences in memory of former pupils James and Sara and their mum a mile away, football jerseys, flowers and a cuddly toy have been left in tribute to them on the Drummeer Road, close to their family hangs over this quiet village like a people in the community do not want this sadness to overcome the vigil held in the grounds of Maguiresbridge Primary School on Friday night, local people found strength in each other, and they will continue to do so. The children's 45-year-old mother was originally from Barefield, County Clare, in the Republic of the time of her death, Ms Whyte was employed by Stormont's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera).Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said she was a "highly respected vet and a work colleague".Ms Whyte had previously worked at Lakeland Vets in Derrygonnelly, County Fermanagh, where staff remembered her as a "devoted mum" and a "lovely person". Enniskillen Royal Grammar School is setting up a support facility for pupils, parents and staff at its Cooper Crescent a statement on Thursday, the Western Health Trust said it is working closely with the Education Authority and local community groups to support any children that may be affected by the incident.A flute band, Defenders of the Rock has cancelled its annual band parade in nearby Lisbellaw on Saturday, in light of the incident.
