Maguiresbridge shooting: Vanessa Whyte and James and Sara Rutledge named as victims
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Fermanagh shooting victims named as GAA club says they ‘will be desperately missed’ – The Irish Times
Vanessa Whyte (45) and her son and daughter, James and Sara Rutledge, have been named. James, 14, and Sara, 13, were pupils at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. A fourth individual, an adult male from the same household, was also injured and is in a serious condition in hospital. A murder investigation is under way, and the PSNI has said one line of inquiry was a triple murder and attempted suicide. Ms Whyte, originally from Co Clare, was a vet at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) She was from Barefield, attended secondary school in Coláiste Muire in Ennis and moved to Fermanagh several years ago. The family were members of St Mary’s Maguiresbridge GFC and St Patrick’s Lisbellaw hurling club, which said “all three were active and beloved members of our club and will be desperately missed” The clubs offered their “heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of all those impacted by the tragic incident”.
Sara was 13 years old and James was 14, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.
Confirming the identities of the victims on Thursday, Det Chief 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,” he said. “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.”
Ms Whyte and one of the children were pronounced dead by the emergency services when they arrived at the property on Drummeer Road near Maguiresbridge on Wednesday morning. The third victim died later in hospital.
Vanessa Whyte and her two children James and Sara who died in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh. Photograph: Facebook
A fourth individual, an adult male from the same household, was also injured and is in a serious condition in hospital.
A murder investigation is under way, and the PSNI has said one line of inquiry was a triple murder and attempted suicide.
Ms Whyte, originally from Co Clare, was a vet at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera).
She was from Barefield, attended secondary school in Coláiste Muire in Ennis and moved to Fermanagh several years ago, Clare FM reported. An Garda Síochána has been assisting the PSNI in liaising with family members in Clare.
Ennis County Councillor Mary Howard expressed her condolences to Ms Whyte’s family and friends.
“I actually would know the mom and grandmother in this situation and she’s an absolutely great lady, very involved in her local community and I’m just gutted for her,” she told RTÉ Radio 1. “You never expect to hear news like this. This is really just devastating and absolutely heartbreaking for them all.”
Fr Tom Fitzpatrick, parish priest of Barefield, told the same programme the community “was devastated beyond belief”.
The family were members of St Mary’s Maguiresbridge GFC and St Patrick’s Lisbellaw hurling club, which said “all three were active and beloved members of our club and will be desperately missed”.
The clubs offered their “heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of all those impacted by the tragic incident”. They are working with the GAA at county, provincial and national level to implement the association’s critical incident protocols.
[ Fermanagh village in shock after woman and two children killed in houseOpens in new window ]
“We will also work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it,” the clubs said.
James and Sara were pupils at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, which paid tribute to them in a statement on Thursday. It described the siblings as “two vibrant and much valued pupils” and sent “heartfelt condolences” to their family circle at this difficult time.
“Our Senior Leadership Team and pastoral staff are working with the Education Authority Critical Incident Team to support our school community of pupils and staff at this time,” the statement went on. “I know that our school community will be holding each other close in this time of great loss.”
Ms Whyte’s colleagues at Daera also expressed sadness at the loss of a valued member of staff.
The North’s chief veterinary officer, Brian Dooher, said Ms Whyte was a “highly respected member of the Daera Veterinary Services and Animal Health Group, a devoted mother and an active member of her local community”.
“Many of us had the privilege of knowing Vanessa personally and she was hugely admired by all those who came across her,” he said. “The loss we feel today is immense and it has profoundly affected us.”
Daera permanent secretary Katrina Godfrey described Ms Whyte as a “hugely respected member of the veterinary profession” who would be “greatly missed by all who worked alongside her”.
PSNI commander Robert McGowan on Wednesday said the investigation was at an early stage and “no arrests will be made at the minute”.
He said there was a “limited domestic history involving the people concerned and that is certainly one line of inquiry detectives will take forward”. He added there had been “no previous issues, domestic or otherwise” at the address.
Supt McGowan said an emergency phone call was made to police from inside the house early on Wednesday and the incident was “still ongoing” when officers arrived at about 7.50am.
The police chief said the incident “just happened prior to police attending so … it [was] a very harrowing scene for all involved”.
A number of political representatives expressed their shock at the tragedy.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she was “absolutely heartbroken” but had “no doubt that the people of Maguiresbridge will come together and support one another through this incredibly difficult time”.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it was “truly devastating” to hear of “this terrible and violent event”. She said it was tragedy that their lives were “cut off so cruelly”.
Northern Secretary Hilary Benn expressed his condolences and asked people “not to speculate and to allow the PSNI to continue their investigation”.
The North’s Minister for Health, Mike Nesbitt, and Minister for Justice Naomi Long appealed for privacy for the family and friends of the victims and urged against online speculation.
They praised the work of the first responders and emergency services and said those in need of support should reach out to the available services.
Maguiresbridge shooting: Vanessa Whyte and James and Sara Rutledge named as victims
Mum and children killed in shooting ‘valued and much loved’ Police appeal for anyone who had spoken to Vanessa Whyte or her children in the past few weeks to contact them. A man – who is a member of the same household – is being treated for serious gunshot injuries at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. The shooting happened in a rural area about 75 miles (121km) west of Belfast and about eight miles from the county’s largest town, Enniskillen. Two of the victims were declared dead at the scene on Wednesday morning and a third died later in hospital. The first minister urged any young people who knew Sara and James to reach out for support and ask for help if they need it. “There isn’t a home here that isn’t thinking very much of this family, as first minister I send my love, solidarity and my support,” she said.
12 minutes ago Share Save Hayley Halpin BBC News NI Share Save
PSNI The three victims have been named as Vanessa Whyte and her son James and daughter Sara
A mother and two children killed in a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide in County Fermanagh have been named by police as Vanessa Whyte, her son James Rutledge and daughter Sara Rutledge. They died after being shot at a house in Drummeer Road in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday. Vanessa, a veterinary surgeon, was 45, James was 14 and Sara was 13, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said. A man – who is a member of the same household – is being treated for serious gunshot injuries at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
The shooting happened in a rural area about 75 miles (121km) west of Belfast and about eight miles from the county’s largest town, Enniskillen. Two of the victims were declared dead at the scene on Wednesday morning and a third died later in hospital. Police said no arrests had been made and it was not anticipated that any would be made. They added that the investigation was at an early stage, but a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of inquiry for detectives. Police appealed for anyone who had spoken to Ms Whyte or her children in the past few weeks to contact them. “If you are someone that Vanessa, Sara or James may have confided in, please come and speak to us,” Det Ch Insp Neil McGuinness said. “Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem could prove crucial to our investigation.” In a letter to parents on Thursday, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School’s principal said the school was mourning “the loss of two vibrant and much valued pupils”. “I know that our school community will hold each other close in this time of loss,” Elizabeth Armstrong said. The school added that the children’s father was seriously ill in hospital in Belfast.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the shooting had stopped her in her tracks. “There isn’t a home here that isn’t thinking very much of this family, as first minister I send my love, solidarity and my support, today, tomorrow and every day as people try to work their way through this,” she said. The first minister urged any young people who knew Sara and James to reach out for support and ask for help if they need it.
Flowers have been left near the scene in County Fermanagh
Ms Whyte was originally from Barefield, County Clare, in the Republic of Ireland. Gardaí (Irish police) said they were working with the PSNI and a Garda family liaison had been appointed to the family of the victims. The mayor of Ennis in County Clare, Mary Howard, said the incident was heartbreaking. “The impact of this will be huge, I’ve no doubt about that, both within her family and her circle of friends and her community here in Clare and up north,” she said. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said Ms Whyte was “a valued member of our veterinary services and animal health group and a hugely respected member of the veterinary profession”. “She will be greatly missed by all who worked alongside her,” Daera added. Northern Ireland’s chief veterinary officer Brian Dooher said she was “a devoted mother and an active member of her local community”. “Many of us had the privilege of knowing Vanessa personally and she was hugely admired by all those who came across her,” he said. “The loss we feel today is immense and it has profoundly affected us.”
Kerry Flood from Women’s Aid Fermanagh said the organisation was thinking of the women “who are right now not safe in their homes”. “We are working really, really hard to make contact with those women and with those children, to provide them with whatever reassurance we can, with whatever support to we can and to try and keep them as safe as possible. It just doesn’t bear thinking about,” Ms Flood said.
Police name mother and teenage children killed in Northern Ireland shooting
Police have named the mother and two children who were shot dead at their home in County Fermanagh. A fourth casualty, a man who was a member of the same household, is in serious condition in hospital. Northern Ireland police said a triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of inquiry. “Two wee children have lost their lives and a mummy, when they just should be enjoying the school holidays and having a wonderful time,” said a note left with flowers at the scene. The shooting stunned the rural community and prompted tributes for the victims. The Church of Ireland’s Clogher diocese said the community would support family members “in the difficult days that lie ahead”
Vanessa Whyte, 45, a veterinary surgeon, and her son James Rutledge, 14, and daughter Sara Rutledge, 13, were killed on Wednesday at their detached house in Maguiresbridge, a village 8 miles from Enniskillen.
A fourth casualty, a man who was a member of the same household, is in serious condition in hospital. Northern Ireland police said a triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of inquiry.
“Today, our thoughts remain with those loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart,” DCI Neil McGuinness said on Thursday. “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.”
The shooting stunned the rural community and prompted tributes for the victims. “We are heartbroken. May they rest in peace,” said a note left with flowers at the scene.
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”.
St Patrick’s Lisbellaw hurling club and St Mary’s Maguiresbridge Gaelic football club issued statements praising Whyte and her children as active, beloved members who will be desperately missed.
Enniskillen cricket club said the children were talented players and had lovely natures. “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,” it said.
The Church of Ireland’s Clogher diocese said the community would support family members “in the difficult days that lie ahead” and asked the public to respect their privacy.
The ambulance service said it 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.
School pays tribute to ‘vibrant and much-loved’ pupils killed in Maguiresbridge shooting
James Rutledge (14) and his sister Sara (13) both died on Wednesday due to injuries suffered during the incident at their home in Maguiresbridge. The children’s mother, Vanessa Whyte (45) was also killed in the gun attack. A fourth man, who was also a member of the household, is in a serious condition in hospital. James and Sara both attended Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. Principal Elizabeth Armstrong said the school is mourning the loss of two pupils who were a big part of school life.
The principal of the school attended by two teenagers killed alongside their mother in a triple murder shooting in Co Fermanagh has paid tribute to two “vibrant and much valued pupils”.
James Rutledge (14) and his sister Sara (13) both died on Wednesday due to injuries suffered during the incident at their home in Maguiresbridge.
The children’s mother, Vanessa Whyte (45) was also killed in the gun attack, while a fourth man, who was also a member of the household, is in a serious condition in hospital.
James and Sara both attended Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, and principal Elizabeth Armstrong said the school is mourning the loss of two pupils who were a big part of school life.
“Following the release of names by the PSNI, it is with a very heavy heart and much sadness that we mourn the loss of two vibrant and much valued pupils, James and Sara Rutledge, who died in tragic circumstances on Wednesday,” Ms Armstrong said in a statement to the Irish News.
“Both James and Sara engaged fully and very successfully in school life and enriched our school community enormously.
“Our Senior Leadership Team and pastoral staff are working with the Education Authority Critical Incident Team to support our school community of pupils and staff at this difficult time.
“The support team will be available for pupils and staff on the Cooper Crescent Site on Friday 25th July from 9:30am.
“I know that our school community will hold each other close in this time of loss.”
Earlier on Thursday, police issued a specific appeal for witnesses as part of the major investigation into the triple murder at the house on the Drumeer Road on Wednesday.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said loved ones of the family have had their worlds “torn apart”, while issuing an appeal for anyone who had spoken with the three victims in the weeks before the tragedy.
Maguiresbridge shooting: School pays tribute to “vibrant and much valued pupils”
Maguiresbridge shooting: School pays tribute to “vibrant and much valued pupils” The teens were killed alongside their mother, Vanessa Whyte, in a suspected triple murder suicide. A male member of the household who is the suspect in the shooting remains in the Royal Victoria Hospital, where his condition is described as “serious” The support team will be available for pupils and staff on the Cooper Crescent Site on Friday 25th July from 9:30am.
“Both James and Sara engaged fully and very successfully in school life and enriched our school community enormously.”
Vanessa Whyte and her children, Sara and James
The principal of the school attended by Maguiresbridge shooting victims James and Sara Rutledge has paid a heartfelt tribute to the “very successful” children.
The teens were killed alongside their mother, Vanessa Whyte, in a suspected triple murder suicide.
A male member of the household who is the suspect in the shooting remains in the Royal Victoria Hospital, where his condition is described as “serious”.
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School Principal Elizabeth Armstrong said: “Following the release of names by the PSNI, it is with a very heavy heart and much sadness that we mourn the loss of two vibrant and much valued pupils, James and Sara Rutledge, who died in tragic circumstances on Wednesday.
“Both James and Sara engaged fully and very successfully in school life and enriched our school community enormously.
“Our Senior Leadership Team and pastoral staff are working with the Education Authority Critical Incident Team to support our school community of pupils and staff at this difficult time.
“The support team will be available for pupils and staff on the Cooper Crescent Site on Friday 25th July from 9:30am.
“I know that our school community will hold each other close in this time of loss.”
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