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BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Maguiresbridge: Children killed in shooting were fabric of community, says MP
Two children killed in a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide in County Fermanagh were "part of the fabric of the community", the local MP has victims - a woman in her 40s and her son and daughter - died after being shot at a house in Drummeer Road in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday.A man - who is a member of the same household - is being treated for serious injuries at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast."Two wee children have lost their lives and a mummy, when they just should be enjoying the school holidays and having a wonderful time," Pat Cullen told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme. At a press conference on Wednesday, a senior police officer said the investigation was at an early stage, but a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of inquiry for detectives. Ms Cullen said the community was "absolutely heartbroken"."They were really part of the community, part of the fabric of the community and how sadly they will all be missed by their wee friends and of course their mother will be sadly missed by this community as well," the Sinn Féin MP Unionist peer Lord Elliott said the incident was devastating. "The family is so local and because the wider family is so well known, it's just devastating, people are really finding it difficult to get their head around this and that this actually happened," he remain at the scene on Thursday morning. The road is likely to be closed for some time while officers continue to gather evidence, BBC News NI understands. 'Life moves slowly here' This is a close-knit community - absolutely everybody here knows who the victims in the village don't seem to want to talk about this at the moment because the family was local and very well respected, and this has just come as a complete shock out of the blue. This is such a rural, quiet place, life moves slowly a real sense of devastation in the village. Murder inquiry The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) launched a murder inquiry on Wednesday. At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Supt Robert McGowan said no arrests had been made "it is not anticipated that they will be made".Supt McGowan said police received a call at 07:50 BST on Wednesday and officers from Enniskillen PSNI station went to the scene at a property on Drummeer Road. "The alarm was raised, I believe, by a phone call made from the house," he officer said the emergency services were confronted with a "harrowing scene" when they entered the home. Supt McGowan said two of the victims were declared dead at the scene on Wednesday morning and a third died later in hospital in Enniskillen. All three people died from gunshot man who is in hospital in Belfast has also suffered gunshot wounds. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a call at 08:21 BST on Wednesday and sent three vehicles and the air ambulance to the officers helped ambulance staff to administer first aid in the house. NI leaders 'deeply saddened' by deaths Northern Ireland's leaders released a joint statement on Wednesday night, thanking the emergency services who responded to the Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said they were "deeply saddened" by what had happened. Fermanagh Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) has offered its "heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those impacted" by the incident. The three family members who died were each members of two GAA clubs in County Fermanagh. St Mary's Maguiresbridge Gaelic Football Club and St Patrick's Hurling Club Lisbellaw described them as "active and beloved" members of their clubs said they would "work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it". Enniskillen Cricket Club said it was "extremely saddened" by the events in Maguiresbridge. Both children played cricket at school, the club said. "Both of them turned out to be talented young cricketers and two absolutely lovely natured children," the club said."In what is a hard time for our small community, we would ask everyone to pull together and support each other through these difficult times."A statement from a Church of Ireland's Clogher Diocese said "the whole community has been shocked and saddened following the tragic shooting incident"."Our church community will be supporting family members in the difficult days that lie ahead and ask the public to respect their privacy at this time," said the Very Reverend Kenneth Hall.
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Police say three people dead in Fermanagh shooting, all from same household
Update: Date: 16:09 BST Title: 'The community is heartbroken' Content: Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says her "thoughts are with the victims and their families at this tragic time". "The community is heartbroken, as we are, and totally shocked at the news as any community would be." Cullen also paid tribute to the paramedics who had to work under a "really tragic set of circumstances". Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen said the community is "heartbroken" Update: Date: 16:06 BST Title: Where is Maguiresbridge? Content: Maguiresbridge, a small rural village in County Fermanagh, is home to about 1,000 people. It's located about 75 miles (120km) from Belfast and about eight miles (12km) from Enniskillen. Update: Date: 15:59 BST Title: 'Widespread shock' Content: DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said the community is in shock A local DUP assembly member is urging people not to speculate about the nature of the incident. "The area of Maguiresbridge where this has happened is a rural, quiet area and everyone is deeply affected by what has happened this morning,' said Deborah Erskine. She says the incident has caused 'widespread shock' across County Fermanagh. "The foremost in all of our thoughts will be with the family and what they have had to deal with today." Update: Date: 15:48 BST Title: Third fatality at SWAH Content: Supt McGowan says two people were pronounced dead at the scene, while the third fatality was confirmed at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). The press conference has concluded. Update: Date: 15:47 BST Title: 'Harrowing scene' Content: Supt McGowan said the scene was very difficult for emergency services to attend. "It was very harrowing for all involved, not only police, but colleagues in the ambulance service and family members." Supt McGowan described the scene as 'harrowing' Update: Date: 15:46 BST Title: Adult survivor Content: Supt McGowan said the surviving person is a male adult. He said there is a "limited domestic history" involving the people concerned. He also said police were not aware of the victims or suspect having any contact with mental health services. Update: Date: 15:42 BST Title: No further arrest will be made Content: Police have confirmed that no arrests have been made. Supt McGowan added: "It's not anticipated at this stage that any arrests will be made." Police confirm no arrests have been made Update: Date: 15:41 BST Title: 'Limited footprint' Content: Supt McGowan has told the media that the suspect has a "limited footprint" with police. He added that police are in the early stages of their investigation and are limited in what information can be provided. Update: Date: 15:40 BST Title: Appeal to the public Content: Supt McGowan appeals to members of the public to check their CCTV and dashcam footage from the area. He's asking anyone with information to contact police on 101. Update: Date: 15:38 BST Title: Murder investigation launched Content: Fermanagh & Omagh District Commander Supt Robert McGowan says all four people sustained gunshot wounds. He has also confirmed that all four were from the same household. Supt McGowan has extended his sympathies to family members and loved ones. He said detectives have launched a murder investigation and are working to determine the circumstances Update: Date: 15:36 BST Title: Third person confirmed dead Content: Police have confirmed that a third person has died following a shooting in Fermanagh this morning. Update: Date: 15:26 BST Title: What do we know so far? Content: Two people have died and two people are in hospital after being seriously injured in a shooting incident in County Fermanagh. It happened on the Drummeer Road in Maguiresbridge. At 08:21 BST on Wednesday morning, a 999 call was made to the emergency services. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service dispatched three ambulances, a rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers, a doctor and tasked the air ambulance service. The air ambulance took one patient to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and an ambulance took another patient to the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting, and so far, no arrests have been made. The Drummeer Road remains closed but police says there is no ongoing risk to the public. Police say the Drummeer Road remains closed to motorists Update: Date: 15:17 BST Title: Police to address media shortly Content: We're bringing you the latest in a breaking news story in County Fermanagh where two people have died following a shooting. A further two people are being treated in hospital after the incident in the small village of Maguiresbridge. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is expected to update the media shortly, we'll update you as it happens.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Irish Times
Fermanagh shooting: third person dies, another remains in hospital
A third person has died following a shooting in Co Fermanagh. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they died in hospital this afternoon. A fourth individual remains in hospital, where their condition is described as serious. Police remain at the scene of the shooting at the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge. READ MORE The PSNI said that all four individuals are from the same household. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it dispatched an emergency team after receiving a 999 call at 8.20am. Three emergency ambulances, one rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers and an ambulance doctor were sent to the scene. The charity air ambulance was also dispatched. One of the injured was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, by air ambulance and another to South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen, about 13 km from Maguiresbridge, by ambulance. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she was 'absolutely heartbroken' by the news of the shooting in Maguiresbridge. '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,' she said on social media website X. Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen has expressed her deep shock following the reports of the shootings. The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP said her thoughts are 'with the victims and their families at this tragic time'. '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,' she said. Former DUP leader Arlene Foster, who is from nearby Brookeborough, said the news was 'just absolutely devastating' and the last thing you expect to hear from Maguiresbridge, which she described as 'a very sleepy little village in Fermanagh'. 'I just feel so sorry for everybody that has been impacted by what seems to be an absolutely horrific tragedy,' she told the News Letter. 'Obviously those involved will need a lot of support in the coming days and I am sure the community in Fermanagh will give that to them.' The former First Minister who represented Fermanagh locally, at Stormont and at Westminster said she knew wider family members linked to the situation. 'I send my deepest condolences love and support to them at this time,' she said. DUP MLA Deborah Erskine described a truly shocking incident which has 'stunned the entire community' as she expressed her condolences with those affected. '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 said. - Additional reporting PA
The Guardian
6 days ago
- The Guardian
Shooting in Northern Ireland leaves two people dead and two seriously injured
A shooting incident has left two people dead and two seriously injured at a property in a rural area of County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Police sealed off the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge, a village 8 miles from Enniskillen, on Wednesday and said there was no ongoing risk to the public. 'We can confirm two people have died, and two people are being treated in hospital for serious injuries,' a police spokesperson said. The ambulance service said it had received a call at 8.21am and dispatched emergency crews to the scene. An air ambulance took one injured person to the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast and an ambulance took the other to South West Acute hospital in Enniskillen. Politicians expressed shock and sadness. 'My thoughts are with the victims and their families at this tragic time,' said Pat Cullen, the Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. 'I would urge people to not speculate on the details of this tragic and shocking incident.' Deborah Erskine, a Democratic Unionist party (DUP) assembly member, said the community was stunned. 'The area of Maguiresbridge where this has happened is a rural, quiet area and everyone is deeply affected by what has happened,' she said. '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.' Arlene Foster, the former DUP leader who grew up near the area, said: 'I am so very sorry for the family involved and praying for all impacted by this horrific act.' Several local representatives said the incident was 'domestic'.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Two dead after shooting in Northern Ireland
Two people have died and two are seriously injured after a shooting in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Police have cordoned off the scene in the village of Maguiresbridge, about 75 miles (120km) southwest of Belfast. "We can advise there is no ongoing risk to the public," a Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesperson said. There was no mention of a motive behind the shooting. Emergency services were called to the shooting in the Drummeer Road area of the village at 8.21am on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said. They confirmed that two people have been injured. "Following assessment and initial treatment at scene, one patient has been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, by air ambulance and another to South West Acute Hospital by ambulance," the spokesperson added. Drummeer Road is currently closed, police said, warning that this could lead to delays on alternative roads. Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen has expressed her deep shock over the shooting, saying: "Firstly, my thoughts are with the victims and their families at this tragic time. "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." The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP asked people "not to speculate on the details of this tragic and shocking incident". DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, who represents the area in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said that the community was "stunned" by the shooting in "a rural, quiet area." "Everyone is deeply affected by what has happened this morning," she said. Diana Armstrong, MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, called the shooting "heartbreaking and distressing". "The loss of life and the serious injuries reported have shocked the local community," she said in a statement on X. "My thoughts are with the families of those affected and with everyone in the community as they come to terms with this tragedy." This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
