Mother and children killed in Co Fermanagh shooting tragedy named locally
Vanessa, who was originally from Co Clare, worked as a veterinary surgeon in Enniskillen, and previously studied in UCD.
A PSNI investigation into the suspected triple homicide is underway.
Yesterday at around 7.50 am police were alerted to the incident in Maguiresbridge.
The alert to police came via a phone call from the house where the incident was taking place. Police from the Enniskillen Police Station responded.
When officers arrived the incident was ongoing. Police confirmed that an adult woman and two children were killed.
When asked if it is being treated as a murder-suicide, Superintendent Robert McGowan said that is 'one line of inquiry'.
'This was a very difficult scene for police to attend. The incident was ongoing and had just happened prior to police attending,' he said at a briefing yesterday.
Advertisement
A fourth person, a man, is in a serious condition in hospital.
The mother and two children who died were involved locally with various sporting clubs, several of which have paid tribute to them.
St Patrick's Lisbellaw Hurling Club offered its 'heartfelt' condolences to the family and friends impacted by this tragic loss.
'All three were active and beloved members of our club and will be desperately missed,' they said.
Maguiresbridge St. Mary's GFC also offered its condolences. The club said that Vanessa, James and Sara were all 'active and beloved' members of the club.
'We will work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it,' the club said.
The Enniskillen Cricket Club said that its community is 'extremely saddened' by the tragic events.
'What makes this all the more difficult to process is that Kenny had the pleasure of coaching both children in his Kwik Cricket Program for several years during the time they spent playing cricket in School.
'Both of them turned out to be talented young cricketers and two absolutely lovely natured children.
'We would like to pass on our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those impacted by today's events,' the club said.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
6 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Police probe church incident where Burke family confronted education official
Police in Northern Ireland are carrying out inquiries into an incident where members of the Burke family accosted a DUP councillor outside a Presbyterian church. Mervyn Storey, a former MLA for North Antrim – who is now a councillor, was approached by members of the protesting evangelical Christian family outside the Hebron Free Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney. In a video posted to one of the Burkes' social media accounts on Monday evening, Mr Storey – who is the chairman of the Education Authority in Northern Ireland – goes into the church while being asked questions by Martina Burke and her son Josiah. Ms Burke said they were in a 'state church implementing government ideology' and refer to Education Authority guidelines on how to support transgender students. They are seen standing in the atrium of the church in the 17-minute video filmed by a third Burke family member before being ejected from the building. A PSNI spokeswoman said: 'Police are aware of a video being circulated online and inquiries are being conducted in relation to the matter.' The Burke family, from Co Mayo, have been known to confront multiple politicians in public places while videoing them. In March, three members of the family were forcibly removed from a gala dinner in Washington DC attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations. While canvassing ahead of November's general election, Fine Gael leader and then-taoiseach Simon Harris was accosted by the Burkes in Castlebar, Co Mayo. They have also been involved in legal disputes in Ireland arising out of the suspension and subsequent dismissal of Enoch Burke from his job as a teacher. He is in the process of appealing against his dismissal. The long-running dispute stems from incidents related to a request from the then-principal of the school he worked at to address a student by a new name and the pronoun 'they'. Mr Storey has been contacted for comment.
Sunday World
10 hours ago
- Sunday World
Cops release image of man wanted in connection with Co Armagh disorder
The PSNI has urged the individual to come forward. Police would like to speak with this person in connection with the ongoing investigation Police are appealing for help in identifying a man wanted in connection with public disorder in Co Armagh. Detectives have released an image of the person they wish to speak to as part of an ongoing probe into a number of incidents of disorder and attacks on police officers since June 12, 2025 in the Portadown area. The PSNI has urged the individual to come forward. A spokesperson also appealed to anyone who can assist in identifying this individual to reach out to detectives. "If you have any information or wish to submit photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage please contact police,' they said. 'A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at . You can also contact us on 101.' Police would like to speak with this person in connection with the ongoing investigation News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, August 5th
Irish Times
10 hours ago
- Irish Times
PSNI officers breached duty of care to teen knocked down and killed, inquiry finds
There were multiple breaches by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers in the duty of care offered to a vulnerable teenager who was later knocked down and killed in Co Antrim in 2018, a Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland investigation has found. The office of the ombudsman has recommended a new policy is put in place between the force and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) to deal with people who are intoxicated and refuse medical treatment. Shannon McQuillan, a 19-year-old law student, and her 21-year-old boyfriend, Owen McFerran, were both hit by a van after three PSNI officers, a NIAS paramedic and a trainee emergency technician left them alone at a bus shelter on the Moneynick Road in Magherafelt in the early hours of January 20th, 2018. Ms McQuillan was killed and Mr McFerran sustained life-changing injuries in the collision which occurred at 3.40am. READ MORE The ombudsman investigation found that the NIAS and PSNI had first encountered Ms McQuillan and Mr McFerran at 2am in a car park in Magherafelt, where Ms McQuillan was found to be unconscious after falling a number of times. Following a discussion between Ms McQuillan, ambulance staff and police, it was agreed officers would follow the ambulance to a roundabout in Magherafelt to ensure it proceeded to Antrim Area Hospital. Shortly before 3am, the ambulance pulled into a bus layby on the Moneynick Road, and staff on-board called for police assistance again following concerns about Ms McQuillan's behaviour. Following a discussion between the medical team and PSNI officers, the couple got out of the ambulance and were left, alone, at a bus shelter on the Moneynick Road. [ 'Shocking': Some roads policing gardaí 'openly hostile' towards doing their jobs, review finds Opens in new window ] At 3.38am the police received the first of three phone calls about two people walking in the middle of the Moneynick Road and two minutes later a motorist informed police he had collided with two people on the same road. Ms McQuillan died at the scene while Mr McFerran was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Subsequent tests established that both had high levels of alcohol in their blood at the time. The ombudsman concluded that the communication between the police officers in attendance at the Moneynick Road and the NIAS staff had been 'wholly inadequate'. The ombudsman investigation found that there had been 'multiple breaches in the duty of care offered' to Ms McQuillan and Mr McFerran by police officers. These included failing to complete even the most basic checks in relation to them, failing to recognise the vulnerability and risks of leaving the two alone together beside a road and failing to safeguard the couple's welfare. Subsequent PSNI misconduct proceedings found the conduct of two of the three officers who had attended the ambulance amounted to gross misconduct. The ombudsman also recommended a new policy be put in place between the PSNI and NIAS for dealing with people who are intoxicated and refuse medical treatment. – PA [ Roads policing report a challenge for new Commissioner Opens in new window ]
