Latest news with #Fermanagh
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Suspect, 43, dies in hospital days after mum & two children shot dead in horror triple murder-suicide at Fermanagh home
A FOURTH person has died following a horrific shooting incident in Fermanagh that police are treating as a murder-suicide. The shocking incident, which took place at a house in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday, July 23, had already claimed the lives of a mother and her two children. 5 5 5 Vanessa Whyte, her son James, 14, and daughter Sara, 13, were shot dead in the horrific incident. And police confirmed that Ian Rutledge, 43, who had been in a serious condition in hospital following the incident, has died this evening. The agricultural contractor was the only suspect in the murder investigation. A PSNI spokesperson said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed that a fourth person has now died following a shooting incident in Maguiresbridge. "Police have named the deceased as Ian Rutledge, who was 43 years old. "Mr Rutledge was taken to hospital on Wednesday 23 July, where he remained in a serious condition. He passed away this evening, 28 July. "Detectives have reiterated their appeal for anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward." Cops have launched a suspected triple homicide and suicide probe. The shock incident took place in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge early Wednesday morning. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call from inside the house at 8.21am on Wednesday. Three emergency ambulances, one rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers and an ambulance doctor were dispatched to the scene. AWFUL TRAGEDY Two people were pronounced dead at the scene and a third died in hospital. PSNI Superintendent Robert McGowan said the incident was ongoing when police arrived at the scene on Wednesday morning. On Saturday, detectives from the major investigation team said they are continuing with their inquiries and appealed for information involving the movements of a vehicle. Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: 'Our investigation is ongoing and we are working tirelessly to determine the exact circumstances of this tragedy. 'I would continue to appeal generally for anyone with information to come forward, and more specifically, I would ask anyone who saw a silver Mercedes saloon car 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, quoting reference 276 23/07/25. FUNERAL TO TAKE PLACE 'Anyone who was travelling in the area and who may have captured dashcam footage which could assist, please get in touch.' Vanessa, a vet who worked within the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Enniskillen, was originally from Barefield, a village near Ennis in Co Clare. It is understood that the funeral of Ms Whyte and her two children will take place in Barefield later this week. It comes after hundreds of people attended a prayer service for the mother and two kids in Barefield last night. PRAYER SERVICE Parish priest Fr Tom Fitzpatrick said that Ms Whyte was a woman who loved her children 'fiercely', and wanted the best for them. He described how she worked hard and laughed a lot, and carried burdens 'we may never fully understand'. Fr Fitzpatrick added: 'Vanessa Whyte and her son James and daughter Sara, the unspeakable tragedy that has befallen our parish is something that is very hard to focus in on and get our minds around. 'But we're here, and that's the main thing. And we are here as well, not just praying for the three of them tonight in a very special way, and asking the Lord to take them to himself, that they be at peace. And I know they are. VANESSA 'GAVE AND GAVE' 'We're also here to remember and be a support for (Vanessa's mother) Mary and her family, and the siblings. They're at home tonight, they decided not to come. It might be easier for themselves, and for ourselves here too, maybe if they were just looking in online from home. 'So we're thinking of them in a very special way. Tonight we come to remember Vanessa and to hold Vanessa's family.' Three candles representing Ms Whyte, James and Sara sat on the altar. Those gathered were told that she was a woman who 'gave and gave'. 'HER LIFE WAS INCREDIBLY PRECIOUS' Fr Fitzpatrick added: 'Vanessa was a mother. She was a daughter, a sister, an aunty and a great friend to so many people. 'She was a woman who loved her children fiercely she wanted the best for them. She worked hard, and she laughed a lot, and she carried burdens that we may never ever fully understand. 'Her life was incredibly precious. James and Sara, young lives just beginning, so full of promise, so loved, so full of light, they've been taken away from this world all too soon in a violent way. 'We just find it impossible, my dear friends, to make sense of any of it. We cannot rationalise what should never have taken place, what we can do is remember the pain that we feel now, that pain is borne out of love. 'PRICE WE PAY FOR LOVE' 'If we didn't love Vanessa, and so many of you would have known her, and if we didn't love her children, we wouldn't be grieving. This heartbreak is the price we pay for love, but it is also love in itself that will help Vanessa's family and all of us indeed, to carry it over the weeks and months to come. 'Mary, I know you're at home and you're listening. She was Vanessa's beloved mother, and her grief is a very deep ocean indeed. 'No mother should ever have to endure this. And yet, Mary, I know, will find herself surrounded by people who care deeply. He said the family's hearts have been 'fractured beyond belief'. He added: 'You have lost a sister, a niece and a nephew, and there are no words that can fill the space that they have left behind. But you're not alone. 'You are held by a community of people who are walking with you through this darkness.' 'She will meet them over the next number of days. These same people, all of us here, will stand beside her, not just during these dark days, but in the days and the weeks to come as well.' IF you've been affected contact the Samaritans on the freephone 116123 or email jo@ 5 5
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fourth person dies following Northern Ireland shooting
A fourth person has died following a shooting in Northern Ireland last week. Police said Ian Rutledge, 43, died in hospital following the incident in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, on Wednesday. Vanessa Whyte, 45, a vet originally from Co Clare, her son James, 14, and daughter Sara, 13, died earlier following the same incident. A murder investigation was launched last week. On Monday night, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said Mr Rutledge had been in hospital in a serious condition, and died that evening. 'Detectives have reiterated their appeal for anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward,' the police spokesperson said. The incident took place in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge All four people are members of the same household and all four suffered gunshot wounds, police said. Speaking at the time, detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: 'Today, our thoughts remain with those loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart.' He continued: '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. 'Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem could prove crucial to our investigation.' 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."
The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
Fourth person dies following Northern Ireland shooting
A fourth person has died following a shooting in Northern Ireland last week. Police said Ian Rutledge, 43, died in hospital following the incident in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, on Wednesday. Vanessa Whyte, 45, a vet originally from Co Clare, her son James, 14, and daughter Sara, 13, died earlier following the same incident. murder investigation was launched last week. On Monday night, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said Mr Rutledge had been in hospital in a serious condition, and died that evening. 'Detectives have reiterated their appeal for anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward,' the police spokesperson said. The incident took place in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge All four people are members of the same household and all four suffered gunshot wounds, police said. Speaking at the time, detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: 'Today, our thoughts remain with those loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart.' He continued: '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. 'Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem could prove crucial to our investigation.' 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."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Breast milk: Donating an opportunity to 'care for other babies'
The only human milk bank on the island of Ireland is appealing for more mothers to donate their breast service at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh supports premature and sick babies in neonatal units throughout Western Health Trust said hospitals were continuing to experience a high demand over the summer months when people are away on holiday and there is a constant turnover of donors. Aoibh Comer donated her breastmilk to the service in 2024 and said she was "so grateful" to her baby son Tádhg for "giving her the opportunity to help care for other babies that need it". 'Please, please do it' Ms Comer told BBC News NI she "just knew she had to do it".She heard about the service from a Northern Ireland Breastfeeding community group on social media. "I was keen on donating milk from the start of my breastfeeding journey, knowing the human body could produce such goodness and I could supply milk to the wee babies that need it most," the 25-year-old said."There is no substitute that completely matches breastmilk and the benefits babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) ward get from this is so beneficial for their wee growth."The former health care worker from Forkill in County Armagh is urging other mothers to donate."I would say to anyone in a position to donate, please please do it," she said,"The team make it so easy, they are so helpful and a friendly."There is such a great feeling of achievement when you fill your last bottle of milk to donate and I'm so grateful to my baby boy for giving us the opportunity." Human breast milk supports premature and sick babies as it helps build their immune system and their eye and brain can also prevent against diseases which can affect premature or low birth weight particular, it can help to protect the gut from rupturing - a potentially life-threatening service also supports mothers of twins, triplets and quadruplets who are unable to produce enough milk of their year, the service provided more than 1,000 litres of donor breast milk to units across 27 hospitals throughout Ireland, helping 783 premature babies, of which 223 were either a twin or a triplet. 'Life or death' service Susan Rogers, lead nurse for public health at the Western Trust, said the bank was indebted to the donor mothers who had provided breast milk to thousands of babies since the project launched in told BBC News NI "the service means life or death really"."When you speak to anyone that has both donated and received breast milk, in the first few seconds you can get a sense of the emotion surrounding it," she said."The reality is for very small premature babies breast milk supports so much of their journey. "They have an immature gut and immune system and breast milk supports all of that."Often without breast milk they can become even sicker so for people that have premature babies it means everything to them." 'Lovely experience' Sarah Haugh's daughter Emily was born at 25 weeks and started on Sarah's breast milk straight away. "I was soon expressing full feeds and my freezer quickly filled up," she told BBC News feeding lead at the hospital suggested that she donated, a process she said was "incredibly easy".Sarah was able to donate 58 litres over seven months."It has been a lovely experience and very rewarding," she trust is appealing for interested mothers to get in touch with the Human Milk Bank team through its website.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Eimear Byrne and family basking in successful yar so far for Louth
From the three previous TG4 All-Ireland Junior Football Championship finals that Louth's Eimear Byrne has played in up to this point, there is one that clearly stands out above all others. Having been part of a side that lost out to Limerick at Croke Park in 2018, Byrne returned to the same venue 12 months later as the Wee County took on Fermanagh in another third-tier decider. While a 3-13 to 2-06 victory for Louth ensured it was always going to be a memorable day, the fact Byrne's sister Aoife lined up alongside her in midfield made it extra special for the St Mochta's star. Although Aoife has stepped away from the inter-county scene in recent years, Eimear was a starter when her native county lost out to Fermanagh in last year's junior showpiece. She has also been an ever-present in the Louth attack during 2025 and is now set to feature in her fourth West County Hotel Cup final against Antrim at Croke Park on 3 August. "In 2019 I was playing alongside my sister Aoife. She has actually retired from inter-county football now. She has had two kids since, but she is back playing club football. Hopefully at some stage I'll get to play alongside her this year," Byrne explained. "2019 was a very, very special year and climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand alongside your sister and playing in midfield with her is something very, very special. Unfortunately I won't have her beside me this time around, but she'll definitely be in the stands shouting me on anyway." Next weekend won't be the first visit to Croke Park this year for the Byrne family as they were previously there on 11 May for one of the most unforgettable days in the recent sporting history of the Wee County. 15 years after another of her siblings (Declan) featured off the bench in a much-discussed provincial decider defeat to the same opposition, Eimear's brother Ciaran played the final eight minutes as the Louth men's team collected their first Leinster title in 68 years with a final victory over Meath. The family achievements don't end there, however, as the aforementioned Declan was part of the management team for a Louth U20s side that qualified for an All-Ireland final with a last-four triumph over Mayo on 16 May - two days before Eimear kicked a brace of points for the ladies side in their Leinster JFC success over Carlow. "It has been a very special year in our house. I'm sitting here looking out the window and the Louth flags are still flying high, and they've been up there for the last couple of weeks. Because 'Casey' (a nickname given to Ciaran due to Eimear's inability to pronounce his name when she was younger) was in the Leinster final and got over the line with that. "Then Deccie was involved in the coaching team for the Louth U20s. It has been a big couple of weeks in our house and loving every moment of it. I think I said this a couple of times in different interviews, that when I walk through the door, my Dad, there is a massive smile on his face. "It's the likes of him, you're kind of delighted he's getting to live through these moments and seeing Louth football being in a really, really good place." What has already been a remarkable year for the Byrnes would be topped off if Louth could claim their fourth junior crown. Yet Byrne was very close to not being part of the panel this deep into the competition. A PE and biology teacher at St Joseph's secondary school in Drogheda, Byrne is opting to take a career break in the coming months. "Any day in Croke Park is going to be a big occasion for both teams" She was initially planning to go travelling last month with her other half, but with a burning desire to get Louth back up to the intermediate grade, Byrne eventually altered her plans. "Originally at the start of the year, I actually had planned to go in June and then I looked at the calendar. I shed a few tears because my boyfriend, he was taking a shorter working year. He's a guard. He had applied for and got it granted for June," Byrne recalled. "We looked at the calendar, I turned to my boyfriend and I said 'I actually can't go in June now'. I said 'I really want to stay and give Louth another rattle'. I had chatted to Kevin (Larkin) the manager and obviously he didn't want me to go. Then I went in and spoke to my principal, and he actually gave me a bit of confidence to actually go for a career break. "I decided to take the full year out next year, but I'm only travelling for six weeks in November and a bit of December. I'll be twiddling my thumbs, looking for a bit of subbing early on next year to fill my time." It will all prove to be worthwhile for Byrne if she can secure the second junior crown next weekend. However, when you consider they triumphed at this grade as recently as 2022, there are a number of players in the Antrim squad who will be looking to do the same. The Saffrons have accrued a Lidl National Football League Division 4 win and an Ulster title across an unbeaten run of 16 games to date in 2025, and this is more than enough reason for Byrnen and Louth to be wary of their challenge. "Antrim, they're a strong outfit. They have some great runners all over the pitch. Their midfield and some very, very strong forwards. It's definitely going to be a tough contest. We're not going to be naïve going in, we've met Antrim a couple of times before over the last couple of years," Byrne added. "We're well used to what they can produce as well. It's going to be very, very tough. Any day in Croke Park is going to be a big occasion for both teams. We're looking forward to it, nonetheless."
