Murder of mother and children has shaken Co Fermanagh community to its core, service told
Co Fermanagh
has shaken the community 'to its core', mourners have heard.
A service of removal has taken place in Maguiresbridge for Vanessa Whyte and her children James Rutledge (14), and Sara Rutledge (13), ahead of their funeral in Co Clare on Saturday.
The three family members
died in a shooting incident
at a property in Drummeer Road in the Co Fermanagh village a week ago.
Agricultural contractor
Ian Rutledge (43), who died on Monday,
is understood to be the only suspect in the shooting of his family.
READ MORE
Last week, police said a triple murder and attempted suicide was a line of inquiry.
Mourners gathered at St Mary's Church in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday morning, with several dressed in bright colours following a request from the family.
Large crowds, including from local GAA clubs, lined the streets outside the church in advance of the service.
Among those who attended the service were Northern Ireland's first minister Michelle O'Neill, former first minister Baroness Arlene Foster, environment minister Andrew Muir and Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen.
Shortly after 11am the three coffins arrived and were brought to the front of the church as the hymn Abide By Me was sung.
During the service, a reading was delivered by Elizabeth Armstrong, principal of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, where Sara and James were pupils.
In his homily, Father Raymond Donnelly said people had gathered in a church 'filled with grief'.
He added: 'There is a heaviness in the air, a silence within our hearts, that speaks volumes.
'The tragedy we have endured has shaken this community, and our country, to its core.
'We are left shocked, grieving, heartbroken, searching for meaning, grappling with questions too deep for words.'
He added: 'The loss of Vanessa and her two beautiful children, James and Sara – lives taken in such an unspeakable way – is more than any heart should bear.
'A woman full of kindness and warmth, a friend to so many here.
'And her children, 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.
'That zest for life, their infectious energy, their open smiles.
'Words fail us. And when words fail, we turn to the word of God.'
The priest told the grieving family members 'you are not alone'.
He added: 'We stand with you.
'We hold you in prayer and embrace. We do not have answers, but we offer presence. We offer prayer. We offer love.
'To the classmates of Sara and James and to all the friends, know that it is OK to feel confused, angry, sad and to cry.
'Please speak to someone. Speak to your parents, to your teachers, to your clergy.'
Fr Donnelly told mourners that grief is 'not something to carry alone'.
He added: 'It is a journey we make together.
'To all involved in sport – to coaches, teammates, mentors – thank you for the joy you helped nurture in these children.
'Their bright spirits will remain a part of every game played in their memory.
'And we take a moment to thank all first responders and medics. Thank you for your service under unimaginable circumstances.
'Thank you to all who have come forward with meals, hugs, tears, prayers, practical and pastoral support or a silent presence.
'You remind us that light still flickers, even on the darkest of days.'
Candles were then lit in memory of the three victims.
The service finished with the singing of the hymn Nearer My God to Thee as the coffins left the church.
The three wooden coffins were then carried side by side along the main road in the village as hundreds followed and many more lined the street.
The bodies will be taken to Barefield in Co Clare, where Ms Whyte was originally from, ahead of their funeral Mass on Saturday.
The three will then be buried together in Templemaley Cemetery. - PA
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A service of removal takes place for Vanessa Whyte, and her children Sara and James Rutledge, in St Mary's Church, Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, on July 30th 2025 In an effort to console grieving relatives, including Vanessa's mum Mary, the priest assured them "you are not alone" and encouraged friends of Sara and James to talk about their grief. "We stand with you," Fr Donnelly said. "We hold you in prayer and embrace. "We do not have answers, but we offer presence. We offer prayer. We offer love. "To the classmates of Sara and James and to all the friends, know that it is okay to feel confused, angry, sad and to cry. "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." The priest thanked all those from the sporting community - including coaches, teammates and mentors - for the joy they helped nurture in the lives of the two teenagers who were active in the GAA. Ian Rutledge "Their bright spirits will remain a part of every game played in their memory," Fr Donnelly said. The cleric also praised first responders and medics for their service "under unimaginable circumstances" and commended the local community for an outpouring of support made manifest in "meals, hugs, tears, prayers, practical and pastoral support or a silent presence". "You remind us that light still flickers, even on the darkest of days," Fr Donnelly concluded. "In the end, we entrust Vanessa and her beloved children, James and Sarah to our loving God... may their souls rest in peace. "And may we, though broken-hearted, find strength to live each day with the kind of love that never ends. "Let us carry them in our hearts. Let us honour their memory not just in mourning, but in how we live." The remains of the mum and her teenage children will be taken to Co Clare ahead of a funeral Mass due to take place on Saturday. Today's service comes two days after the man suspected of killing them before turning the gun on himself, 43-year-old Ian Rutledge, died in hospital. A death notice stated 'it is with broken hearts and many tears' that the family announce the tragic passing 'of our beloved Vanessa and her adored children'. 'Cherished and much-loved Vanessa, James and Sara will forever be in the hearts of their heartbroken family, remembered fondly by a devoted mother and loving grandmother Mary Whyte, sisters and brothers (aunts & uncles) Geraldine, Anita, Steve, Regina & Ivor and by their respective partners Michael, Bernie, Ciara and Anita's husband James," it adds. 'Sadly missed by all their heartbroken cousins Deirbhíle, Erin, James, Danielle, Aishling, Jack and Harry Joe. "They will be greatly missed by the extended Whyte family, friends, work colleagues and the wider GAA communities in both Fermanagh and Clare.' Vanessa is pre-deceased by her father and the children's grandfather Joe Whyte and her infant sister. Following the shootings, police said a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of inquiry detectives were pursuing. The Belfast Telegraph understands a legally held weapon was used in the shooting. The police investigation is ongoing, despite the death of the only suspect. Ms Whyte and Sara died from gunshot wounds at their home on Drummeer Road, Maguiresbridge, last Wednesday, while James died from his injuries in hospital the following day. The only suspect in the case, Ian Rutledge, died from his injuries in hospital on Monday. This newspaper also understands the 999 emergency call was made from the home on July 23 at around 8am from Sara's phone before first responders arrived at the scene which police described as 'harrowing'. Rutledge was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital and was kept on life support until Monday. It's understood that one line of inquiry is that Rutledge left the home in Fermanagh he shared with Ms Whyte and their children the night before the shootings to retrieve a legally held weapon from a different location, with police keen to trace the movements of his silver Mercedes saloon car. A service of removal takes place for Vanessa Whyte, and her children Sara and James Rutledge, in St Mary's Church, Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, on July 30th 2025 Maguiresbridge vigil takes place as book of condolence opens at young shooting victims' former school PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness has asked anyone who saw the vehicle being driven in the Clones Road area of Newtownbutler, or between Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler, on the evening of July 22 to call detectives on 101. 'Anyone who was travelling in the area and who may have captured dash-cam footage which could assist, please get in touch,' he added. Vanessa, James and Sara will repose together in The Church of The Immaculate Conception in Barefield from 3pm to 7pm on Friday. Private removal will take place on Saturday morning with the funeral cortege arriving for Requiem Mass at 12pm before the family is laid to rest in Templemaley Cemetery. Mourners have been asked to wear bright and cheerful colours in celebration of their lives. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Women's Aid.
