PSNI warn against sharing of misinformation in suspected murder-attempted suicide
"These things really stop you in your tracks" - Michelle O'Neill reacts to suspected triple murder attempted suicide Maguiresbridge
The PSNI are warning members of the public to refrain from sharing misinformation and unverified speculation about the fatal shooting in Co Fermanagh this week that killed a mother and her two children.
The three victims of the Maguiresbridge shooting, which is suspected to be a triple murder-attempted suicide, have been named as veterinary surgeon Vanessa Whyte and her son and daughter, James and Sarah.
Police are aware of ongoing speculation and the sharing of imagery on social media in relation to the incident.
'We would ask that people refrain from sharing misinformation or images as this may ultimately have a negative impact on the criminal justice process,' said a PSNI spokesperson.
All three victims died having suffered gunshot injuries at a property on the Drummeer Road yesterday morning in Maguiresbridge.
A man in his 40s, who also suffered gunshot wounds, remains in a serious condition in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Vanessa Whyte with her two children James and Sara
Ms Whyte, who was 45 and originally from Ennis in Co Clare who worked for the Department of Agriculture. She has been described as 'hugely admired by all who came across her'.
The department's permanent secretary Katrina Godfrey paying tribute said: "Vanessa was a valued member of our Veterinary Services and Animal Health Group and a hugely respected member of the veterinary profession. She will be greatly missed by all who worked alongside her.
"On behalf of the Department we offer our sincere condolences to her family, friends and all those in the community impacted by her and her children's deaths. They will remain in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days and months ahead as they come to terms with the loss.'
Chief Veterinary officer Brian Dooher added: 'Many of us had the privilege of knowing Vanessa personally and she was hugely admired by all those who came across her.
"The loss we feel today is immense and is has profoundly affected us.'
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The PSNI has also appealed for anyone who the tragic victims may have 'confided in' over the last few weeks to come forward.
Earlier the school of the two children told of their sadness and loss of the 'vibrant and much valued pupils'.
The principal of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School Elizabeth Armstrong in a statement said the school will 'hold each other close in this time of loss'.
The statement read: 'It is with a very heavy heart and much sadness that we mourn the loss of two vibrant and much valued pupils, James and Sara Rutledge, who died in tragic circumstances on Wednesday.
"James and Sara engaged fully and very successfully in school life and enriched our school community enormously.
'Our Senior Leadership Team and pastoral staff are working with the Education Authority Critical Incident Team to support our school community of pupils and staff at this difficult time.
'The support team will be available for pupils and staff on the Cooper Crescent Site on Friday 25th July from 9:30am.
'I know that our school community will hold each other close in this time of loss.'
First Minister Michelle O'Neill has urged young people who knew the teenagers who died in the tragedy to ask for support.
"I think there are moments in your life where things really stop you in your tracks," she said speaking at Coalisland with local Sinn Fein MP Pat Cullen. "And this for me certainly is one of those moments."
She said as a mother and a grandmother, she cannot imagine how the family are coping with their loss.
"These are such tragic circumstances and we all need to reach out (to) each other," she said. "I would particularly say to those young people that knew James and Sara, to those young people that feel this really acutely, that they reach out for support and help and talk to their friends, talk to their mentors in the club, talk to their family.
"We all need to reach out for help at times, and this is one of those most difficult times that anybody will ever face. So I certainly encourage all young people to put your arm around each other and to reach out and ask for support if you're struggling right now.
"This is a hard thing for anybody to come to terms with, not least any young person that is feeling this loss, because these were their friends."
The PSNI has launched an investigation into a suspected triple homicide and attempted suicide as one line of enquiry, following the fatal shooting incident early on Wednesday morning that killed the three family members.
According to authorities, four individuals from the same household suffered gunshot wounds at a residence on Drummeer Road in Maguiresbridge.
Emergency services responded to the scene, where two people were found dead. A third victim, was taken by ambulance to the South West Acute Hospital and later died from their injuries.
In an update on Thursday morning Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness made a further appeal for information.
He said 'Today, our thoughts remain with those loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart.'
He continued: '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.
'Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem could prove crucial to our investigation.'
While the inquiry is still in its preliminary phase, on Wednesday Superintendent Robert McGowan, the local district commander, stated that detectives are treating the case as a possible triple murder and attempted suicide.
Investigators are also examining whether mental health played a role in the tragedy.
Ms Whyte and her children were 'active and beloved' members of both St Mary's Maguiresbridge Gaelic Football Club and Lisbellaw St. Patrick's Hurling Club in the area.
Both organisations said they are 'working with the GAA at county, provincial and national level, to implement the Association's critical incident protocols'.
The mayor of Ennis, in Vanessa's native Co Clare, Fine Gael's Mary Howard paid tribute to the former resident and her family.
She told the Belfast Telegraph: "I turned off the radio because it was so distressing, the whole thing is very upsetting. I know the mum (of Vanessa), there are no words, what can you say to someone who is going through something like that?
'It is truly heart breaking, I heard of it yesterday, everybody is shocked and gutted for the family, the family are in their thoughts and prayers.
'People just want to help; they are on offer to do what needs to be done for the family.'
Ms Whyte also volunteered as the Coaching Officer at the hurling club, and helped with its underage training sessions. She was previously praised for her dedication to the club's development.
During a media briefing on Wednesday afternoon, Superintendent McGowan said the surviving individual is a male adult and has a "limited footprint" with police.
The officer added there is a "limited domestic history' involving those in the household as he said police believe the alarm was raised from inside the house.
He said: 'The alarm was raised I believe by a phone call made from the house.'
The PSNI said it is 'not anticipated at this stage that any further arrests will be made'.
Emergency services, including police, paramedics, and the Air Ambulance, responded to the incident after receiving an urgent call. The PSNI later described the scene as "harrowing."
According to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), a 999 call was received at 8:21 a.m. In response, three emergency ambulances, a rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers, and an ambulance doctor were sent to the location.
Superintendent McGowan continued: 'Our enquiries are at an early stage, and I would appeal for patience as we work to understand the events that have taken place. We will continue to bring updates as our investigation continues."
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