Latest news with #Fermanagh
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Pictured: Mother and children shot dead in Northern Ireland
A mother and her two children shot dead in Northern Ireland have been pictured for the first time. Vanessa Whyte, a veterinary surgeon in her 40s, and her two children James and Sara Rutledge, aged 14 and 13, died after being shot on Wednesday morning. A man remains in a serious condition in hospital. Supt Robert McGowan confirmed that all four people suffered gunshot wounds and that a murder investigation has been launched. Police said the incident took place in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh. Speaking in Enniskillen, Mr McGowan said that two people were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third person died in hospital on Wednesday afternoon. Ms Whyte, originally from Ennis, Co Clare, was reportedly a vet employed by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Enniskillen. Det Chf Insp Neil McGuinness said: 'Today, our thoughts remain with those loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart. '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. A colleague told the Irish News that Ms Whyte was a hurling fan who lived for her children. 'It's just shocking what has happened, it's horrendous,' they said, adding: 'She was just a normal down to earth woman, liked the craic and just a good woman to be around. 'It's just so sad, Vanessa loved hurling and was mad about it. 'She lived for her children, did her best for them and everything she did was for them. 'It's just hard to believe that something like this could happen to her and her kids.' Enniskillen Cricket Club expressed their condolences on Wednesday night, remembering the children as 'absolutely lovely natured'. 'Both of them turned out to be talented young cricketers and two absolutely lovely natured children,' it said. Murder investigation launched The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said they received a call at around 8.21am on Wednesday before dispatching three emergency ambulances, one rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers and an ambulance doctor to the scene. Mr McGowan said: 'Earlier this morning, police received a report of an incident in Maguiresbridge. 'Officers, along with their colleagues in the NIAS, attended a house in the Drummeer Road area. 'Tragically, despite best medical efforts, two people were pronounced dead at the scene. Sadly, I can confirm that a third person has this afternoon passed away in hospital. 'The fourth person, who was taken to hospital, remains in a condition described as serious.' He confirmed that all four individuals were from the same household. Mr McGowan added: 'I am keen first and foremost to express my sympathy to the family members and loved ones who are today left in total shock and who will struggle to come to terms with their unimaginable loss. 'Detectives have now commenced a murder investigation and are working at pace to determine the circumstances. 'This is a quiet rural location and I'm aware that this tragic event will have sent shock waves of sadness throughout the community.'
BreakingNews.ie
2 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Mother and children who died in Fermanagh shooting named as investigation goes on
A mother and her two children who were found dead have been named as a police investigation into their deaths continues. Vanessa Whyte, a veterinary surgeon originally from Co Clare; her son, James, and daughter, Sara, died following a shooting in Co Fermanagh. Advertisement 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. The scene in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, after three people died in a shooting incident (Oliver McVeigh/PA) A murder investigation has been launched and police are pursuing a triple murder and attempted suicide line of inquiry. St Patricks Lisbellaw Hurling Club said all three were 'active and beloved members of our club and will be desperately missed'. Advertisement 'We are working with the GAA at county, provincial and national level, to implement the association's critical incident protocols,' they said. 'We will also work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it.' The First Minister and deputy First Minister have expressed their shock and sadness following the killing of a mother and her two children in Fermanagh. — NI Executive (@niexecutive) July 23, 2025 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. Advertisement '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.'
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Mother and children who died in shooting named as investigation goes on
A mother and her two children who were found dead have been named as a police investigation into their deaths continues. Vanessa Whyte, a veterinary surgeon originally from Co Clare; her son, James, and daughter, Sara, died following a shooting in Co Fermanagh. 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. St Patricks 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,' they 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.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mother and children who died in shooting named as investigation goes on
A mother and her two children who were found dead have been named as a police investigation into their deaths continues. Vanessa Whyte, a veterinary surgeon originally from Co Clare; her son, James, and daughter, Sara, died following a shooting in Co Fermanagh. 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. St Patricks 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,' they said. 'We will also work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it.' The First Minister and deputy First Minister have expressed their shock and sadness following the killing of a mother and her two children in Fermanagh. — NI Executive (@niexecutive) July 23, 2025 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.'
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Mother and two children shot dead in suspected triple murder are pictured as man with gunshot wound remains in hospital
A mother and two children shot dead in a suspected triple murder have been pictured for the first time, while a man with gunshot wounds remains in hospital. Vanessa Whyte and her two children, James and Sara, were killed in a fatal shooting in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, on Wednesday morning. The tragic incident, described by police as 'harrowing', occurred at a residence in the Drumeer Road area of Maguiresbridge. Three ambulances and an air ambulance were called to the scene at about 8.20am, where Ms Whyte, a veterinary surgeon, alongside one of the children, were tragically pronounced dead. The other child was airlifted by air ambulance to to the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen where they sadly later died as a result of their injuries. A critically injured man is currently being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has launched an urgent investigation into a suspected triple homicide and attempted suicide as a line of enquiry. Ms Whyte and her two children have been described as 'active and beloved' members of both St Mary's Maguiresbridge Gaelic Football Club and Lisbellaw St. Patrick's Hurling Club in the area. Ms Whyte is also understood to have volunteered as the Coaching Officer at the hurling club, and helped with its underage training sessions. Superintendent Robert McGowan, district commander for Fermanagh and Omagh, previously confirmed that all four individuals had suffered gunshot wounds and were from the same family. Their ages have not been released. He added that a murder probe was underway, with detectives working 'at pace' to establish the full circumstances of the tragedy. A triple-murder and attempted suicide is being pursued as a line of inquiry. Investigators are also examining whether mental health played a role in the tragedy. During a media briefing on Wednesday afternoon, Superintendent McGowan said the surviving individual is a male adult and has a 'limited footprint' with police. The officer added there is a 'limited domestic history' involving those in the household as he said police believe the alarm was raised from inside the house. He said: 'The alarm was raised I believe by a phone call made from the house.' On Thursday morning, Sinn Fein MP for the area Pat Cullen told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme: '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.' 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. Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: 'I'm absolutely heartbroken by the news from Maguiresbridge today. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the local community. 'I have no doubt that the people of Maguiresbridge will come together and support one another through this incredibly difficult time.' Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen expressed her deep shock, saying: 'Firstly my thoughts are with the victims and their families at this tragic time. The Sinn Fein representative added: 'I am in contact with the police around this ongoing situation. 'Police are currently at the scene of an incident outside Maguiresbridge and there are a number of road closures while they carry out their investigations. I would urge people to not speculate on the details of this tragic and shocking incident.' Deborah Erskine, a Democratic Unionist Party assembly member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, said the incident has 'stunned the entire community'. 'The area of Maguiresbridge where this has happened is a rural, quiet area and everyone is deeply affected by what has happened this morning,' she added. 'My deepest condolences are with the families of those who have been killed as a result of this incident. Their lives have been turned upside down this morning. 'This morning I was speaking to police dealing with the incident. I paid tribute to the emergency services at the scene. I also appeal for privacy to allow the PSNI to carry out their investigations.'
