Mum and children killed in shooting 'valued and much loved'

Flowers have been left near the scene in County Fermanagh

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."

Police said they are aware of ongoing speculation and the sharing of pictures on social media in relation to the shooting.

In a statement, they asked that people refrain from sharing misinformation or images as this may have a negative impact on the criminal justice process.

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.

The three victims have been named as Vanessa Whyte and her son James and daughter Sara

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.

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.

Ms Whyte and her children were each members of two Gaelic Athletic Association 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 organisations.

Enniskillen Cricket Club described the children as "two absolutely lovely natured children".

St Joseph's Doora-Barefield GAA club said they were shocked and saddened, adding that Whyte's family have had a long association with the club.

In a statement they said Vanessa's father was part of the first ever country hurling winning team and that both she and her siblings represented the club in hurling and camogie.