Fourth person dies following Fermanagh shooting as police issue fresh appeal
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has named the deceased as 43-year-old Ian Rutledge. Mr Rutledge was injured in a shooting incident at a house on the Drumeer Road area of Maguiresbridge last Wednesday morning, 23 July.
He was rushed in a serious condition to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where he passed away on Monday evening, according to the PSNI.
Vanessa Whyte, 45, her son James, 14, and daughter Sara, 13, died earlier following the same incident. Ms Whyte was originally from Barefield, a village near Ennis in Co Clare.
It is understood that the funeral of Ms Whyte and her two children will take place in Barefield later this week. Candles surround a photograph of shooting victims Vanessa Whyte, 45 and her children, James, 14, and Sara, 13, during a vigil at Maguiresbridge Primary School, in Co Fermanagh, a school attended by James and Sara Whyte. Ms Whyte, who was originally from Co Clare, and her 14-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter died following a shooting on Wednesday in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge. Picture date: Friday July 25, 2025
Police have launched a murder investigation into Wednesday's fatal shooting and detectives have reiterated their appeal for anyone with information, "no matter how insignificant it may seem", to come forward.
Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting reference number 276 of 23/07/25.
A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.
Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
This latest appeal comes days after detectives from the major investigation team, who are carrying out the murder investigation, appealed for information involving the movements of a vehicle.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said at the time: 'Our investigation is ongoing and we are working tirelessly to determine the exact circumstances of this tragedy.
'I would continue to appeal generally for anyone with information to come forward, and more specifically, I would ask anyone who saw a silver Mercedes saloon car being driven in the Clones Road area of Newtownbutler, or between Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler, on the evening of Tuesday July 22 to call detectives on 101, quoting reference 276 23/07/25.
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