Fermanagh murder victims were due to travel to mum's native Clare next week
Vanessa Whyte with her daughter Sara and son James who died following a shooting in Co Fermanagh (PSNI/PA)
A mum and two children murdered in their Fermanagh home were to spend the August holiday weekend with her family in her native Barefield, Co. Clare parish priest Fr Tom Fitzpatrick revealed.
Instead, devastated Mary Whyte, the mother of murdered Vanessa Whyte and grandmother of slain James (14) and Sara (13) will be joined by family in arranging for the tragic trio's funerals in Co. Clare.
Fr Fitzpatrick, who had been consoling and counselling the devastated Whyte family, also confirmed that Vanessa's brother, who lives in Australia, had flown into Dublin airport this morning to be with their devastated mum.
Fr Kilpatrick confirmed the family are arranging for funerals to be held in Barefield but said currently the timeframe for holding the ceremonies is unknown.
Vanessa Whyte with her daughter Sara and son James who died following a shooting in Co Fermanagh (PSNI/PA)
News in 90 Seconds - July 26th
'We don't know how long it takes for the remains to be released in the North, it takes quite a long time in the UK but it will probably happen much quicker than that in the North,' he said.
'I was talking to a member of the family this morning and they hope to have some idea of how things will move on Monday – but the funeral mass will be held in Barefield Church.
'There will be a ceremony of some kind in Maguiresbridge before they come here and I'm not sure yet how the details of that will work out but certainly the community up there are anxious to have something too.
'The family would like all of this to happen as quickly as possible but it's hard to put a finger on when this might all happen.
'My guess is it could be at the end of the week but it could be earlier.'
Ms Whyte, 45, a veterinarian, was killed alongside her son James Rutledge, 14, and daughter Sara Rutledge, 13, in a gun attack at their home in Maguiresbridge, Co. Fermanagh.
They were found with gunshot wounds at their home in rural Drummeer Road at around 8pm after the PSNI received a 999 call from someone inside the house.
The mum and one of the kids were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other child lost their fight for life in hospital a few hours later.
A man was found with serious gunshot wounds in what the PSNI believe was an attempted murder-suicide.
Fr. FitzPatrick said Vanessa's mum Mary had only come back from a personal pilgrimage in Knock that day when she was informed of the horrific news.
'The Whyte family are a very respected and much loved family in the local community,' he said.
'Her mother Mary is very involved in the church. She is a beautiful person, she's incredibly spiritual and despite the fact she is a very gentle person, she is incredibly strong.
'She spent all of Wednesday, the day the news broke, in Knock on her own personal pilgrimage and came home that evening to the news.
'And that was awful for her.
'Vanessa was meant to be down here with the children for the August Bank Holiday weekend but tragically that won't be now.
'She planned to come down with the children for the week to be with her mother.
'So there's a huge sense of sorrow and loss here.
'But she (Mary) is a very strong person and the family are rallying around.
'There's one boy who is living in Australia but he flew back and arrived in Dublin airport this morning and is on his way down now.'
Fr. FitzPatrick said the community of Barefield is attempting to support the family in every way they can in the wake of the horrific murders.
'The only way I can describe it is there is a dark cloud hanging over the community of Barefield over the last number of days.
'In a community like Barefield, and it's a tightly knit community, what affects one family affects the whole community.
'The whole community are coming together and trying to make sense of what has occurred and trying to reach out to the family in the only way they know how.
'And, that's less with words and more with the love and the hugs that come with their presence and from their hearts.'
Fr. FitzPatrick said the community has planned a prayer service in Barefield Church on Sunday evening and a big crowd is expected.
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