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Pictured: Mother and children shot dead in Northern Ireland

Pictured: Mother and children shot dead in Northern Ireland

Telegraph3 days ago
A mother and her two children shot dead in Northern Ireland have been pictured for the first time.
Vanessa Whyte, a veterinary surgeon in her 40s, and her two children James and Sara Rutledge, aged 14 and 13, died after being shot on Wednesday morning.
A man remains in a serious condition in hospital.
Supt Robert McGowan confirmed that all four people suffered gunshot wounds and that a murder investigation has been launched.
Police said the incident took place in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh.
Speaking in Enniskillen, Mr McGowan said that two people were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third person died in hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
Ms Whyte, originally from Ennis, Co Clare, was reportedly a vet employed by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Enniskillen.
Det Chf Insp Neil McGuinness said: 'Today, our thoughts remain with those loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart.
'Our investigation is continuing and I am keen to reiterate our appeal for anyone with information to get in touch.
'I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who had spoken to Vanessa, Sara or James over the last few weeks. If you are someone that Vanessa, Sara or James may have confided in, please come and speak to us.
A colleague told the Irish News that Ms Whyte was a hurling fan who lived for her children.
'It's just shocking what has happened, it's horrendous,' they said, adding: 'She was just a normal down to earth woman, liked the craic and just a good woman to be around.
'It's just so sad, Vanessa loved hurling and was mad about it.
'She lived for her children, did her best for them and everything she did was for them.
'It's just hard to believe that something like this could happen to her and her kids.'
Enniskillen Cricket Club expressed their condolences on Wednesday night, remembering the children as 'absolutely lovely natured'.
'Both of them turned out to be talented young cricketers and two absolutely lovely natured children,' it said.
Murder investigation launched
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said they received a call at around 8.21am on Wednesday before dispatching three emergency ambulances, one rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers and an ambulance doctor to the scene.
Mr McGowan said: 'Earlier this morning, police received a report of an incident in Maguiresbridge.
'Officers, along with their colleagues in the NIAS, attended a house in the Drummeer Road area.
'Tragically, despite best medical efforts, two people were pronounced dead at the scene. Sadly, I can confirm that a third person has this afternoon passed away in hospital.
'The fourth person, who was taken to hospital, remains in a condition described as serious.'
He confirmed that all four individuals were from the same household.
Mr McGowan added: 'I am keen first and foremost to express my sympathy to the family members and loved ones who are today left in total shock and who will struggle to come to terms with their unimaginable loss.
'Detectives have now commenced a murder investigation and are working at pace to determine the circumstances.
'This is a quiet rural location and I'm aware that this tragic event will have sent shock waves of sadness throughout the community.'
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