https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/fermanagh-shooting-suspect-ian-rutledge-dies-in-hospital/a1529437343.html

The only suspect in the murder investigation into the fatal shootings of a mother and her two children in Co Fermanagh has died.

Ian Rutledge (42) passed away at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast as a result of self-inflicted gun wounds.

He was married to Vanessa Whyte (45) and was the father of her two children, James (14) and Sara (13).

Vanessa and Sara were found dead in their Maguiresbridge home last Wednesday morning.

James was taken to the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen, but died from his injuries later that day.

The Belfast Telegraph understands that Rutledge had been brain dead and in critical care since the shooting. .

A PSNI statement issued on Monday evening said: “The Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed that a fourth person has now died following a shooting incident in Maguiresbridge.”

The statement added: “Ian 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.
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Sources had previously said Rutledge had been experiencing depression and that his vision was deteriorating due to an underlying illness.

Medical professionals had reportedly advised him that he could face complete loss of sight within a few years.

According to local accounts, he had to give up his job as a lorry driver as a result of his worsening eye condition.

He had since begun working alongside his father, who is an agricultural contractor.

It is understood that Rutledge had returned to live at the family home in Maguiresbridge, having previously moved out following the end of a relationship several years earlier.
Ian Rutledge

Ian Rutledge

Mum and children killed in Maguiresbridge shooting tragedy named locally

A source close to the family stated that there had been recent challenges within the couple’s mixed marriage.

It is understood the 999 emergency call from the Drummeer Road residence on Wednesday morning was made from the phone of 13-year-old Sara.

Police have not yet confirmed who made the call, as the line remained silent during the emergency communication shortly before 8am.

However, the call handler was able to hear activity in the background, prompting the alert.

Attempts to return the call went unanswered.

Emergency services arrived at the house shortly before 8.30am.

Police described the scene inside the house as “harrowing”.

A vigil for Vanessa, Sara and James is taking place in Armagh at 6pm on Monday evening.
Ian Rutledge

Ian Rutledge
Unmute

Maguiresbridge vigil takes place as book of condolence opens at young shooting victims’ former school

On Friday, at Maguiresbridge Primary School, which James and Sara were both previous pupils of, a vigil was also held for the three deceased family members.

A special prayer service also took place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Barefield, Co Clare – Ms Whyte’s home village – on Sunday evening at 7pm.

Books of condolences have been opened at both the church and at Maguiresbridge Primary School.

Earlier on Sunday, a minute’s silence was held for Vanessa, Sara and James, just moments before throw-in at the All Ireland senior football final between the Donegal and Kerry men’s teams.

Text on the screen at Croke Park read: “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha” – which translates from Irish into English as: “May their souls be seated on God's right hand.”

by heresmewhaa

30 comments

  3. “A source close to the family stated that there had been recent challenges within the couple’s mixed marriage.”

    I know in the grand scheme of things, the story is so horrific that it’s not much to get worked up about.

    But I found this line in the reporting to be very tactless. Who still uses the phrase “mixed marriage” for gods sake

  4. You notice how the fact he was a peeler himself is never mentioned?

    Eta: it sounds like we’ve all been told something different about his occupation. I’d be interested to know.

  5. I hope he suffered and felt so much pain and guilt in his last moments.

  6. Infuriating that he got off easy and didn’t pay for his horrific crimes.

  7. As much as you’d want him to face justice, this might just be better in the current circumstances. If he’d recovered, was charged and convicted, he’d likely just try and top himself again.

  8. Cunt. Good riddance. Would’ve been good to see him rot in jail but no doubt he’d be out in 20 knowing this place.

  9. This is kind of better than this being trailed out in the media through a court case, hopefully the families can grieve a wee bit easier with this outcome.

  10. Cunt. I wanted him to pull through to face justice for his heinous crimes. Can only hope if there’s a hell he’ll be down there!

  12. Glad to see the streets were filled with rage in defence of our women and children.

    Oh wait

  14. Hopefully there’s a very thorough inquest forensically examining every aspect of the assailants life prior to the shootings – on a figuratively subatomic level.

    Horrific. if there’s an aggravating factor which laid the foundation for and precipitated the crimes. Identity it and expose it..

    Time to start connecting the dots and building a picture – keep women and children safe. Prevent these horrors.

    Appalling beyond words.

  15. Should’ve just shot himself and spared his 2 children and their mother their lives. Can’t even imagine the fear those wee kids and their mum felt that morning, and leading up to it. Absolute monster!!!

  17. Genuine question – but what would happen to this scumbags farewell, considering the horrendous circumstances?

    Is he just put in a hole, or will there actually be some sort of funeral?

  18. I wonder did his family switch off the life support

  19. God love the first responders, hopefully they get fully supported

  20. I’ve honestly been devastated by this atrocity. I cannot stop thinking about what this family must have experienced in their final moments. And how beautiful they were and how unfair it is.

    I’m not surprised he died and upset too for his family now who will have to bury him and forever be associated with what he did. I’m not sure if it was my brother I could forgive him. How conflicted they must be.

  21. Bastard. I wanted him to slowly rot in a dark cell

  26. 1. Raises an interesting thought exercise on capital punishment. Although I’d like to see the justice system in action, I think he is much better off dead. And I wonder how many times the doctors thought the same?

    2. Mixed marriage. WTF. Nearly had to ask Chat GPT what they were on about..

  27. Oh well, anyway… have you heard? Jaguar is planning a trio of “jaw-dropping” electric sports crossovers to burst through the £100,000 barrier

  28. >Medical professionals had reportedly advised him that he could face complete loss of sight within a few years

    There it is. With these selfish cunts there’s usually something they’re too weak to cope with losing (job, wealth, spouse, health etc.). 3 people murdered because he didn’t want to live with a disability.

  29. When the police mentioned they didn’t expect to make any arrests in the aftermath of the shooting, I feared that this was ultimately what they were alluding to. They knew early on that he was likely not going to recover, and in the end that came to be.

    What an awful case, an immense tragedy.

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