logo
Police investigate sudden death of woman in Belfast

Police investigate sudden death of woman in Belfast

Irish Times03-06-2025
Police
are investigating the sudden death of a woman in
Belfast
on Tuesday morning.
Cordons remain in place at the front and back of the house in the Shore Road area in the north of the city, as forensic officers carry out detailed examinations.
It is understood one man has been arrested after being detained at the scene.
Neighbours were alerted when police vehicles arrived at the house facing Loughside Park at around 1am on Tuesday.
READ MORE
North Belfast DUP MLA, Philip Brett, said there was 'massive shock and sadness' in the community following the incident.
'I have spoken with the police and they will be releasing a statement later today,' he said.
'My thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted.'
A spokeswoman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed an update in the investigation will be provided today.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fermanagh shooting victims named locally as GAA club says they ‘will be desperately missed'
Fermanagh shooting victims named locally as GAA club says they ‘will be desperately missed'

Irish Times

timea day ago

  • Irish Times

Fermanagh shooting victims named locally as GAA club says they ‘will be desperately missed'

The mother and children who died in a shooting in their home in Co Fermanagh on Wednesday have been named locally as Vanessa Whyte and her son and daughter, James and Sarah. Ms Whyte and one of her children were pronounced dead by the emergency services when they arrived at the property on Drummeer Road near Maguiresbridge on Wednesday morning, and the third victim died later in hospital. A fourth individual, an adult male, was also injured and is in a serious condition in hospital. A murder investigation is under way, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said one line of inquiry was a triple murder and attempted suicide. READ MORE Ms Whyte, who was in her 40s and originally from Co Clare, was a vet at the Department of Agriculture. According to Clare FM she was from Barefield, attended secondary school in Coláiste Muire in Ennis and moved to Fermanagh several years ago. An Garda Síochána has been assisting the PSNI in liaising with family members in Clare. The family were members of St Mary's Maguiresbridge GFC and St Patrick's Lisbellaw hurling club, which said 'all three were active and beloved members of our club and will be desperately missed'. Both clubs offered their 'heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of all those impacted by the tragic incident' and said they were 'working with the GAA at county, provincial and national level, to implement the association's critical incident protocols. [ Fermanagh village in shock after woman and two children killed in house Opens in new window ] 'We will also work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it,' the clubs said. A colleague of Ms Whyte's told the Irish News she loved hurling and 'lived for her children, did her best for them and everything she did was for them'. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning, local PSNI commander Robert McGowan said the investigation was at an early stage and 'no arrests will be made at the minute.' He said there was a 'limited domestic history involving the people concerned and that is certainly one line of inquiry detectives will take forward,' but added there had been 'no previous issues, domestic or otherwise,' at that address. Supt McGowan said an emergency phone call was made to police from inside the house on Wednesday morning, and the incident was 'still ongoing' when they arrived at about 7.50am. The police chief said the incident 'just happened prior to police attending so … it [was] a very harrowing scene for all involved'. A number of political representatives expressed their shock at the tragedy and sent their condolences to bereaved relatives and friends. First Minister Michelle O'Neill, said she was 'absolutely heartbroken' but had 'no doubt that the people of Maguiresbridge will come together and support one another through this incredibly difficult time.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, said it was 'truly devastating' to hear of 'this terrible and violent event' and her thoughts were with loved ones, family and friends, 'but most of all for the tragedy of the lives cut off so cruelly.' Northern Secretary Hilary Benn expressed his condolences at the 'tragic and deeply distressing' incident and asked people 'not to speculate and to allow the PSNI to continue their investigation.' The North's Minister for Health, Mike Nesbitt, and Minister for Justice, Naomi Long, also appealed for privacy for the family and friends of the victims and urged against online speculation. They praised the work of first responders and the emergency services and said those in need of support should reach out to the available services.

French police investigate ‘electrocution' death of Irish cyclist at Paris metro station
French police investigate ‘electrocution' death of Irish cyclist at Paris metro station

Irish Times

time2 days ago

  • Irish Times

French police investigate ‘electrocution' death of Irish cyclist at Paris metro station

French police have opened an investigation into the death of an Irish cyclist following an incident at a metro station in Paris. Tomás Walsh, from Waterford, died in the early hours of Monday in circumstances that remain unclear, but it is believed the 25-year-old may have been electrocuted after falling on to the underground railway's tracks. The Paris prosecutor's office has confirmed it has opened an investigation into his death. It said there was no evidence at this stage to suggest foul play. Police said the body of Mr Walsh was discovered lying on the tracks inside the Grands Boulevards metro station in the northeast of the city. READ MORE He had travelled from Ireland to watch the 16th stage of the Tour de France cycling competition. Online tributes to the cyclist described him as a 'pleasant young man with the world in front of him', a 'credit to his parents' and a 'really great lad'. In a statement, Comeragh Cycling Club said it had learned of his death with 'great sadness' and said Mr Walsh had been the 'life and soul' of the club. Altitude, a bike shop in Waterford city, described him as 'one of a golden group of talented cyclists'. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance.

‘I'm lost for what to say': Fermanagh village in shock after three killed in house
‘I'm lost for what to say': Fermanagh village in shock after three killed in house

Irish Times

time2 days ago

  • Irish Times

‘I'm lost for what to say': Fermanagh village in shock after three killed in house

It is the most beautiful of rural roads, quiet and tree-lined. The only sounds are the barking of a dog and the voices of television correspondents filing their reports for the evening news. It was here, in a large, detached house around a mile outside the village of Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh , that the 'very harrowing' events of Wednesday morning happened. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it received a call from inside the property at about 7.50am. When they arrived, two people were dead and two others seriously injured. They were all members of the same family and all had sustained gunshot wounds. One of the injured died in hospital in Enniskillen on Wednesday afternoon. It is understood the victims were two children and their mother, who was in her 40s. READ MORE The other individual, an adult male, remains in a serious condition in hospital in Belfast . A murder investigation has been launched and one line of inquiry is that this was a triple murder and an attempted suicide. The names of the victims have not yet been released and, speaking to reporters at a press conference in Enniskillen PSNI station, local police commander Robert McGowan said not all family members had been briefed. He said: 'This tragic event will have sent shockwaves of sadness through the community.' The local GAA club, St Mary's Maguiresbridge, offered 'heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those impacted by this tragic incident which happened in our community'. It said the victims were 'active and beloved members' of the club. Dean Kenneth Hall, bishop's commissary in the diocese of Clogher, said 'the whole community has been shocked and saddened . . . we ask that the family circle of those affected will be kept in our thoughts and prayers'. Elected representatives from both sides of the political divide also expressed their condolences. MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Sinn Féin's Pat Cullen, spent much of the day in the village. Similarly, DUP Assembly member Deborah Erskine was present for much of the day there. On Wednesday evening, forensic officers in white suits could be seen examining a car parked across the road and another in the garden of the property on Drummeer Road. The road remained closed, with tape and a police car acting as a blockade. A number of uniformed police officers were present at the scene. Many locals were reluctant to speak about what happened, with some saying they found it difficult to express the feeling of shock and sadness in the village. 'It's so sad, just so sad,' said one woman. 'Such tragic circumstances – it's the kind of thing you never think could happen.' 'Everyone is saying the same thing, that they're shocked but don't really know what else to say,' said Daniel, a local man. 'It's a strange feeling, like nobody really knows how to feel. 'I've spoken to enough people about this today, I'm lost for what to say any more. Every shop you go into, people are talking about it.' Another man said: 'I'm just shocked. What else can you say? It's just an awful tragedy.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store