Veterinary surgeon Vanessa Whyte died alongside her teenage children Sarah and James
The mother of two children who died after a shooting incident in Co Fermanagh has been described as a devoted parent who lived for her children and the GAA.
The three victims of a horrific shooting incident in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday have been named locally as veterinary surgeon Vanessa Whyte, originally from Co Clare and aged in her 40s, and her two children Sarah and James, who were aged 13 and 14.
Four people sustained gunshot wounds during the incident on the Drumeer Road on Wednesday morning. Two were pronounced dead by emergency services at the scene, and another victim later died of their injuries at the South West Acute Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
An adult male remains in hospital with serious injuries and is understood to be the main suspect, with police confirming a line of inquiry is that the tragedy was a triple murder and attempted suicide.
A vet employed by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Enniskillen, Ms Whyte and her two children have been described as “active and beloved” members of two local GAA clubs.
Ms Whyte, originally from Ennis, Co Clare, moved to Fermanagh several years ago. An Garda Siochana has been assisting the PSNI in liaising with family members in Co Clare.
A colleague of the popular mum-of-two said Ms Whyte was a big hurling fan who lived for her children.
“It’s just shocking what has happened, it’s horrendous,” the colleague told the Irish News.
“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.”
The PSNI confirmed on Wednesday that a call had been received from the family home shortly before 8am on Wednesday.
Police confirmed that an incident was “ongoing” on arrival while paramedics and ambulance service personnel also arrived soon after, with first responders reporting a “harrowing” scene.
Northern Ireland’s first and deputy first ministers released a joint statement on Wednesday night, thanking the emergency services who responded to the shooting.
“We are deeply saddened by the events which have unfolded in Maguiresbridge this morning,” said Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly.
“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims and their families, and the wider community,” they added.
Two local GAA clubs where Ms Whyte, James and Sarah were “beloved” members said they would be “desperately missed”.
“St Patrick’s Hurling Club Lisbellaw offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of all those impacted by the tragic incident this morning in Maguiresbridge,” a club statement said.
“We are working with the GAA at county, provincial and national level, to implement the Association’s critical incident protocols.
“We will also work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it. Details of this will be shared in due course.
“All three were active and beloved members of our club and will be desperately missed.”
by cromcru
31 comments
Just horrendous, I hope all the people who knew and loved this poor family are getting support. Hope he rots.
My god those children would have been old enough to know exactly what was happening. Usually when this sort of thing happens the children are quite young and hopefully don’t have a clue what’s going on. Makes me feel physically ill. What a sick world we live in
It is absolutely unfathomable. May they rest in peace, and the surviving father rot in hell.
This is just utterly dreadful. I’m so sorry for everyone affected by this. It’s just unbelievable.
I get people have mental health issues and stuff, but honestly, what the FUCK compels someone to do something so abhorrent? I cannot wrap my head around it at all. What the actual fuck.
RIP to them all and condolences to their family
This is just horrific. So hard for the whole community, friends, family.
Ugh, devastating.
Terrible news. RIP.
He deserves every one of the 15 years he will inevitably get in prison …
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Not all men but somehow, it almost always is… I know people will get mad at that but I don’t care anymore. Too many bastards running around who think they can do horrible things like this. When will it end?
The wider question is why these absolutely vile murders, overwhelmingly of women and children, keep happening, particularly in NI.
What is the mindset and influences that drive this? The toxic idea that “if I can’t have you, no one can” – the refusal to accept that relationships can end.
Is it down to upbringing, religion, inadequacy, online influences, archaic patriarchal ideas, or a toxic combination of these and more? What is driving this cowardly, devastating mindset and what can be done to prevent it happening again?
I am just exhausted and perpetually heartbroken by the violence against women and children that seems to be happening more and more in NI. What is it about NI that has led to some of the highest rates of femicide?
Each time my heart breaks more and more and I find myself getting angrier that nothing seems to change and the news cycle just rolls on until the next time it happens.
I seen people named on social media that went viral who turned out not to be involved. Let this be a lesson to not name victims until it is officially released
Such a tragedy. Can’t even imagine what the First-Responders had to witness.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of this beautiful family. I can’t believe someone would be evil enough to do this. Rest in Peace ♥️
This makes me want to keel over. Absolutely horrific. God rest them.
Jacqueline Connolly (the sister of Clodagh Hawe) has written an excellent book called Deadly Silence. The amount of people who turned a blind eye to his behaviour, helped cover things up even after he died and even knowing what he had done to his wife and children is staggering. I’d really recommend reading it. I read it in one sitting. He didn’t have a ‘mental health breakdown’ he had planned everything meticulously. I’ve a feeling this will probably be the same. Pre planned
May Vanessa, James and Sara rest in peace. I hope he survives and is able to stand trial eventually.
This is absolutely horrific.
Side note: i absolutely hate the passive voice reporting style for crimes of this kind— “four people sustained gunshot wounds”. Three people were murdered, shot dead by a fourth person who shot himself but didn’t die.
God help their families and friends at this difficult time. The children and their mommy must’ve been terrified. This is horrendous. May the investigation bring justice and also enhance any safeguarding measures that could help prevent another murder rampage within a domestic property.
Heartbreaking all together, RIP
I get that the dad committed the murders, but theres absolutely no mention of his nature or character in the article. The kids and the mum seem very happy in the photo, which makes me believe he cant have been too bad a man, at least until he did this shocking and horrifying act.
Was it connected to drug taking? Was it an undiagnosed mental condition? Was he just an awful person with a tendancy towards violence?
Im sorry if it seems im defending him in any way, its not meant as a defence, its just ive known a few people in my life who have been perfectly normal seeming nice people who have like turned a switch on and done crazy things to themselves or other people. Just a few weeks ago a quiet teenage kid in my neighbourhood, who didnt drink alcohol or take drugs took KETAMINE with a friend. He later came home like a bull. He stabbed his mother and sister and was bouncing on his aunts head when the police arrested him. He thought they were all aliens trying to kill him. Its not in any news article & it were im sure facts like that might be ommited, as its more startling to believe a family man can just do something crazy like a triple murder of his family for no reason.. but theres probably a simple reason & its probably drugs.
Really convenient he managed to kill 3 other people but couldn’t off himself properly, it’s giving “I knew attempted suicide would give me a mental health defence”
Another monster like Alan Hawe, more of them hiding on the island
The near non existent provision of treatment for mental health here is a factor. Conjecture over what happened helps nobody though. My condolences to the family and may these poor people rest in peace.
An utterly abhorrent act.
Evil bastard
The BBC article says that the police announced in a statement that there they do not anticipate they will make any arrests. I’m really confused as to why this is?
I hope he lives a very long life thinking about what he did
God bless the mum and her children.
Jesus
Heartbreaking to see their school, Enniskillen Royal, paying tribute to their pupils.What a horrific loss to a school community.
The thing I find so upsetting about this is the fact that the kids and/or wife had to witness the family being killed, probably knowing they were next.
Most people also know how to shoot themselves in the head as a means of suicide, so you have to wonder how he’s still alive
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