Mother and children were 'taken in an unspeakable way'

Vanessa Whyte and her daughter Sara and son James were fatally shot at a house in Maguiresbridge last Wednesday

A service for the mother and two children murdered in County Fermanagh last week has heard their lives were "taken in an unspeakable way".

The priest, Fr Raymond Donnelly, told mourners at a service of removal that the loss was "more than any heart should bear".

Vanessa Whyte, 45, and her children, 14-year-old James Rutledge and 13-year-old Sara Rutledge, were shot and killed in their home in Maguiresbridge last Wednesday.

The coffins of Ms Whyte, James and Sara were blessed outside the church before being brought in for the service. Their funerals will take place on Saturday in Ms Whyte's native County Clare.

Children dressed in team colours and school uniforms formed a guard of honour as the hearses made their way to the church

Fr Donnelly described Ms Whyte as a "woman full of kindness and warmth, a friend to so many".

About her two children, he said: "So young, so vibrant, so full of promise.

"Their laughter rang through school corridors, through playing fields, especially on the GAA pitch, where they thrived with passion and joy."

Fr Donnelly added that James and Sara had a "zest for life" and "infectious energy".

He said their classmates and friends should "know that it is okay to feel confused, angry, sad and to cry.

"But please speak to someone. Speak to your parents, to your teachers, to your clergy.

"Grief is not something to carry alone. It is a journey we make together."

Mourners gathered outside St Mary's Church in the village of Maguiresbridge

'Grey skies reflect the tone'

Pinks, greens and a sea of football shirts.

It's not usual funeral attire but a lot about the service of removal in Maguiresbridge is not by the book.

Attendees were asked to wear "bright and cheerful clothing" in memory of Vanessa, James and Sara.

Guards of honour line the street beside the church.

St Mary's Maguiresbridge football team and St Patrick's Lisbellaw hurling team are in their kits, and school friends of James and Sara from Enniskillen Royal Grammar and from their previous school, Maguiresbridge Primary, are in their uniforms.

Despite the bright colours, the grey skies above the village reflect the muted tone here.

This is a village just starting the grieving process after losing three much-loved members of its community in an awful way.

Mourners wore told to wear bright colours in memory of Vanessa, James and Sara

The hymn Abide With Me was performed as the congregation slowly made its way inside.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Minister for Agriculture Andrew Muir, Baroness Foster, Northern Ireland's former first minister and Brian McAvoy from Ulster GAA were among those at the service.

Baroness Foster, who is from Fermanagh, said what happened was an "unspeakable tragedy".

"The community should be really proud of themselves because of how they have come together at such a time," she added.

Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher Ian Ellis led a candle lighting ceremony.

Josie Nugent said what happened is "unimaginable".

Josie Nugent is from Vanessa's hometown and knows the family well. Her farm in Barefield is next to the Whyte's farm.

"I've come here to offer my condolences, for support as a neighbour, to offer a bit of love and prayer, especially over the coming days and weeks," she said.

"It's unimaginable what happened."

She added: "They'll be in my thoughts and prayers. At this stage, they need our support."

Enniskillen Royal Grammar principal Elizabeth Armstrong

'Very sadly missed'

Enniskillen Royal Grammar principal Elizabeth Armstrong said James and Sara "will very sadly be missed".

She remembered the two pupils for "their sense of fun and also their seriousness, their commitment to work and their studies".

"They had such a positive impact on the school community. We will remember their vibrancy, we will remember their smiles," Ms Armstrong said.

She also said it was important for the school to "continue to stand together".

The principal said the church service "was an opportunity to come together, to grieve together".

Jenni Smyth Bryans described the past week as "horrendous".

Jenni Smyth Bryans, from Lisbellaw Football Club, said "we're all devastated".

"We wanted to be here today to show our support for the Whyte and Rutledge family.

"We wanted to recognise their loss and our loss, having Sara and James as past members of the club."

Ms Smyth Bryans said Vanessa was a "devoted mother, a great friend and a true ambassador for sport in Ireland.".

She described the past week as "horrendous".

"We've been in a state of shock and disbelief. It's still very difficult to believe that this happened."

She said its important to be there for young people in the club.

"The children have difficulty understanding what's happened, as we do."

The hearses with the remains of the mother and her two children are now on their way to Vanessa Whyte's hometown of Barefield in Co Clare.

Crowds have dispersed from outside Maguiresbridge Primary School, where people came together after a service of removal at St Mary's Church.

The village is quiet again after hundreds gathered earlier to show their support and to pay their respects.

As the media leave and the community get their village back, there's the sense that the hard bit is just beginning.

The funeral Mass will be held in Barefield on Saturday.

Following the service, a large crowd walked behind the coffins

Emergency services were called to the home of Ms Whyte and her children on the Drummeer Road on 23 July.

Two of the victims were declared dead at the scene and a third victim died later that day in hospital.

Hours after the attack, the Police Service of Northern Ireland told a news conference a man from the same household was in hospital with gunshot wounds.

Following the shootings, police said a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of inquiry for detectives.

On Monday night, the man suspected of killing them, 43-year-old Ian Rutledge died in hospital.

On Monday, detectives investigating the shooting reiterated their appeal for "anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward".

On Saturday, they issued an appeal over the movements of a silver Mercedes between Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler on the day before the shootings.

Crowds of mourners attended a vigil for the family in Maguiresbridge Primary School's grounds on Friday.

Several senior politicians were present as religious representatives addressed the vigil, and a minute's silence was held.

A prayer service took place on Sunday evening at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Barefield.

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