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The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Prayer service held for mother and two children killed in shooting incident
A prayer service held for a mother and two children killed in a shooting incident in Co Fermanagh has been told that 'we cannot rationalise what should never have taken place'. Vanessa Whyte, 45, a vet originally from Co Clare, her son James, 14, and daughter Sara, 13, were killed in a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide at a house in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday morning. Ms Whyte was originally from Barefield, a village near Ennis in Co Clare. Hundreds of people attended the prayer service, which took place in Barefield on Sunday evening. Parish priest Fr Tom Fitzpatrick said that Ms Whyte was a woman who loved her children 'fiercely', and wanted the best for them. He described how she worked hard and laughed a lot, and carried burdens 'we may never fully understand'. Fr Fitzpatrick added: 'Vanessa Whyte and her son James and daughter Sara, the unspeakable tragedy that has befallen our parish is something that is very hard to focus in on and get our minds around. 'But we're here, and that's the main thing. And we are here as well, not just praying for the three of them tonight in a very special way, and asking the Lord to take them to himself, that they be at peace. And I know they are. 'We're also here to remember and be a support for (Vanessa's mother) Mary and her family, and the siblings. They're at home tonight, they decided not to come. It might be easier for themselves, and for ourselves here too, maybe if they were just looking in online from home. 'So we're thinking of them in a very special way. Tonight we come to remember Vanessa and to hold Vanessa's family.' Three candles representing Ms Whyte, James and Sara sat on the altar. Those gathered were told that she was a woman who 'gave and gave'. 'Vanessa was a mother. She was a daughter, a sister, an aunty and a great friend to so many people,' Fr Fitzpatrick added. 'She was a woman who loved her children fiercely she wanted the best for them. She worked hard, and she laughed a lot, and she carried burdens that we may never ever fully understand. 'Her life was incredibly precious. James and Sara, young lives just beginning, so full of promise, so loved, so full of light, they've been taken away from this world all too soon in a violent way. 'We just find it impossible, my dear friends, to make sense of any of it. We cannot rationalise what should never have taken place, what we can do is remember the pain that we feel now, that pain is borne out of love. 'If we didn't love Vanessa, and so many of you would have known her, and if we didn't love her children, we wouldn't be grieving. This heartbreak is the price we pay for love, but it is also love in itself that will help Vanessa's family and all of us indeed, to carry it over the weeks and months to come. 'Mary, I know you're at home and you're listening. She was Vanessa's beloved mother, and her grief is a very deep ocean indeed. 'No mother should ever have to endure this. And yet, Mary, I know, will find herself surrounded by people who care deeply. 'She will meet them over the next number of days. These same people, all of us here, will stand beside her, not just during these dark days, but in the days and the weeks to come as well.' He said the family's hearts have been 'fractured beyond belief'. 'You have lost a sister, a niece and a nephew, and there are no words that can fill the space that they have left behind. But you're not alone. 'You are held by a community of people who are walking with you through this darkness.' A murder investigation has been launched, while an adult male remains in a serious condition in hospital. It is understood that the funeral of Ms Whyte and her two children will take place in Barefield later this week. On Saturday, detectives from the major investigation team, who are carrying out the murder investigation, said they are continuing with their inquiries and appealed for information involving the movements of a vehicle. Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: '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. 'Anyone who was travelling in the area and who may have captured dashcam footage which could assist, please get in touch.' The man who remains in a serious condition in hospital was a member of the same household, the PSNI said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Prayer service held for mother and two children killed in shooting incident
A prayer service held for a mother and two children killed in a shooting incident in Co Fermanagh has been told that 'we cannot rationalise what should never have taken place'. Vanessa Whyte, 45, a vet originally from Co Clare, her son James, 14, and daughter Sara, 13, were killed in a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide at a house in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday morning. Ms Whyte was originally from Barefield, a village near Ennis in Co Clare. Hundreds of people attended the prayer service, which took place in Barefield on Sunday evening. Parish priest Fr Tom Fitzpatrick said that Ms Whyte was a woman who loved her children 'fiercely', and wanted the best for them. He described how she worked hard and laughed a lot, and carried burdens 'we may never fully understand'. Fr Fitzpatrick added: 'Vanessa Whyte and her son James and daughter Sara, the unspeakable tragedy that has befallen our parish is something that is very hard to focus in on and get our minds around. 'But we're here, and that's the main thing. And we are here as well, not just praying for the three of them tonight in a very special way, and asking the Lord to take them to himself, that they be at peace. And I know they are. 'We're also here to remember and be a support for (Vanessa's mother) Mary and her family, and the siblings. They're at home tonight, they decided not to come. It might be easier for themselves, and for ourselves here too, maybe if they were just looking in online from home. 'So we're thinking of them in a very special way. Tonight we come to remember Vanessa and to hold Vanessa's family.' Three candles representing Ms Whyte, James and Sara sat on the altar. Those gathered were told that she was a woman who 'gave and gave'. 'Vanessa was a mother. She was a daughter, a sister, an aunty and a great friend to so many people,' Fr Fitzpatrick added. 'She was a woman who loved her children fiercely she wanted the best for them. She worked hard, and she laughed a lot, and she carried burdens that we may never ever fully understand. 'Her life was incredibly precious. James and Sara, young lives just beginning, so full of promise, so loved, so full of light, they've been taken away from this world all too soon in a violent way. 'We just find it impossible, my dear friends, to make sense of any of it. We cannot rationalise what should never have taken place, what we can do is remember the pain that we feel now, that pain is borne out of love. 'If we didn't love Vanessa, and so many of you would have known her, and if we didn't love her children, we wouldn't be grieving. This heartbreak is the price we pay for love, but it is also love in itself that will help Vanessa's family and all of us indeed, to carry it over the weeks and months to come. 'Mary, I know you're at home and you're listening. She was Vanessa's beloved mother, and her grief is a very deep ocean indeed. 'No mother should ever have to endure this. And yet, Mary, I know, will find herself surrounded by people who care deeply. 'She will meet them over the next number of days. These same people, all of us here, will stand beside her, not just during these dark days, but in the days and the weeks to come as well.' He said the family's hearts have been 'fractured beyond belief'. 'You have lost a sister, a niece and a nephew, and there are no words that can fill the space that they have left behind. But you're not alone. 'You are held by a community of people who are walking with you through this darkness.' A murder investigation has been launched, while an adult male remains in a serious condition in hospital. It is understood that the funeral of Ms Whyte and her two children will take place in Barefield later this week. On Saturday, detectives from the major investigation team, who are carrying out the murder investigation, said they are continuing with their inquiries and appealed for information involving the movements of a vehicle. Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: '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. 'Anyone who was travelling in the area and who may have captured dashcam footage which could assist, please get in touch.' The man who remains in a serious condition in hospital was a member of the same household, the PSNI said.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
‘We are coming here with hearts broken': Prayer service to be held for Fermanagh shooting victims
A prayer service will be held in Co Clare for a mother and two children killed in a shooting incident in Co Fermanagh . Vanessa Whyte (45), a vet from Co Clare, her son James (14) and daughter Sara (13), were killed in a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide at a house in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday morning. Ms Whyte was originally from Barefield, a village near Ennis in Co Clare. A murder investigation has been launched, while an adult male remains in a serious condition in hospital. READ MORE A prayer service will take place at the Church of Immaculate Conception in Barefield on Sunday evening. A notice on the parish website describes it as a service to remember Vanessa, Sara and James. Barefield parish priest, Fr Tom Fitzpatrick, said the community wanted to gather together to remember the family. The prayer service has been organised to take place on Sunday evening to allow for Ms Whyte's brother, Ivor, to travel home from Australia . 'The prayer service was organised by the community, myself and the pastoral council. We planned it days ago,' Fr Fitzpatrick said. 'The purpose of the service is to gather as a community and be with the family and let them know we are thinking of them and we are here in shock and in pain. 'When something happens in a rural community, even to one person, it affects everybody. We are coming here with hearts broken. A lot of the community knew Vanessa and she was so well loved.' It is understood that the funeral of the mother and her two children will take place in Barefield later this week. On Saturday, detectives from the major investigation team, who are carrying out the murder investigation, said they are continuing with their inquiries and appealed for information involving the movements of a vehicle. Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: '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 22nd, to call detectives on 101, quoting reference 276 23/07/25. 'Anyone who was travelling in the area and who may have captured dashcam footage which could assist, please get in touch.' The man who remains in a serious condition in hospital was a member of the same household, the PSNI said. On Friday, hundreds of people attended a community vigil for the family in Maguiresbridge. – PA
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Prayer service to be held in Clare for mother and children killed in Fermanagh shooting
A prayer service will be held in Co Clare for a mother and two children killed in a shooting incident in Co Fermanagh. Vanessa Whyte (45), a vet originally from Co Clare, her son James (14) and daughter Sara (13) were killed in a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide at a house in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday morning. Advertisement Ms Whyte was originally from Barefield, a village near Ennis in Co Clare. A murder investigation has been launched, while an adult male remains in a serious condition in hospital. A prayer service will take place at the Church of Immaculate Conception in Barefield on Sunday evening. A notice on the parish website describes it as a service to remember Vanessa, Sara and James. Advertisement Barefield parish priest, Fr Tom Fitzpatrick, said the community wanted to gather together to remember the family. The prayer service has been organised to take place on Sunday evening to allow for Ms Whyte's brother, Ivor, to travel home from Australia. 'The prayer service was organised by the community, myself and the pastoral council. We planned it days ago,' Fr Fitzpatrick said. 'The purpose of the service is to gather as a community and be with the family and let them know we are thinking of them and we are here in shock and in pain. Advertisement 'When something happens in a rural community, even to one person, it affects everybody. We are coming here with hearts broken. A lot of the community knew Vanessa and she was so well loved.' It's understood that the funeral of the mother and her two children will take place in Barefield later this week. On Saturday, detectives from the major investigation team, who are carrying out the murder investigation, said they are continuing with their inquiries and appealed for information involving the movements of a vehicle. Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: 'Our investigation is ongoing and we are working tirelessly to determine the exact circumstances of this tragedy. Advertisement '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. Ireland Tributes paid to government vet Vanessa Whyte afte... Read More 'Anyone who was travelling in the area and who may have captured dashcam footage which could assist, please get in touch.' The man who remains in a serious condition in hospital was a member of the same household, the PSNI said. On Friday, hundreds of people attended a community vigil for the family in Maguiresbridge. Advertisement
CNN
21-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Hegseth hosts first meeting of what he says will be a monthly Christian prayer service at Pentagon
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosted a Christian prayer service on Wednesday at the Pentagon for employees that included a sermon by his hometown pastor who said President Donald Trump had been 'sovereignly appointed.' The service, which Hegseth told the audience would be a monthly event was held in the Pentagon auditorium and broadcast live on the department's internal TV network. Current and former defense officials told CNN it was highly unusual the secretary to host a religious event during the workday for a particular religion. 'This is precisely where I need to be, exactly where we need to be as a nation at this moment, in prayer, on bended knee, recognizing the providence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,' Hegseth said in opening remarks at the service. 'This is something we plan to do on a monthly basis, on a voluntary basis, here in the auditorium. I hope you'll let those you work with know about it.' Brooks Potteiger, the pastor of Hegseth's Tennessee church Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship, delivered the sermon after Hegseth introduced him as his longtime 'mentor.' A defense official said that no government funds were used to facilitate Potteiger's visit to the department. In a prayer opening the service in the Pentagon auditorium, Potteiger thanked God for Trump and other leaders who have been 'sovereignly appointed,' and 'the way that you have used him to bring stability and moral clarity to our lands.' In a statement, acting Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said, 'The Office of the Secretary of Defense invited DoD personnel to attend a voluntary Christian prayer and worship service this morning. Many different faiths have regular services in the Pentagon Chapel or elsewhere in the Pentagon. This service was an opportunity for Believers to appeal to Heaven on behalf of our great nation and its warfighters. Beseeching the Almighty has been an American tradition since George Washington prayed for our cause at Valley Forge. The United States was then, and remains now, One Nation under God. At this time, OSD envisions that these prayer and worship services will be a monthly occurrence. Any participating civilian clergy are responsible for their own travel and accommodations expenditures.' While the Pentagon offers routine religious accommodations and services to personnel of different faiths, none of them are broadcast live internally, held in the auditorium or hosted by the secretary. And none of them are advertised like the service held on Wednesday morning – the Pentagon sent an email to DOD employees reviewed by CNN encouraging employees to attend in-person, and to RSVP to a dedicated internal email address for the prayer services. A brochure entitled 'Secretary of Defense Christian Prayer & Worship Service' with details of the service was also handed out to employees as they entered the room. The front page of the brochure featured the seal of the Department of Defense, which retired Air Force Lt. Col. Rachel VanLandingham – a national security law expert and law professor at Southwestern Law School – said was indicative of Hegseth and the government's sponsorship of the event, and could be a violation of the the First Amendment's prohibition on the US government endorsing a religion. A former Pentagon lawyer who left the department in April called the service 'incredibly problematic.' They added that the 'core of the Establishment Clause is the state not endorsing a particular religion, but having a broadcast event is obviously an endorsement even if they don't officially say, 'this is a Pentagon event.'' The event and Hegseth's sponsorship of it is a 'clear violation' of the Establishment Clause, VanLandingham added. 'I think it's sponsorship in the true sense of the word, outside of funding – he's advocating for this, he is putting his weight of the official Office of the Secretary of Defense behind a particular religious event and inviting someone to the Pentagon to conduct it,' she said. 'That's wrong.' And while the event was billed as voluntary, the involvement and endorsement of the secretary of defense could put pressure on service members and civilian employees to attend. Pentagon policy says that a government act is a substantial burden to a service member's exercise of religion if it 'places substantial pressure on a service member to engage in conduct contrary to a sincerely held religious belief.' 'Of course, folks in a rigidly hierarchical organization like the military think, 'Oh, it's optional, but when it's being sponsored by the [secretary of defense], yeah, I better go'… It's deeply problematic,' VanLandingham added. Potteiger peppered his sermon with Pentagon-specific references. 'Our Lord, Jesus said in Matthew 10, not a sparrow will fall to the ground apart from my heavenly Father. If our Lord is sovereign, even over the sparrows' fallings, you can be assured that he is sovereign over everything else that falls in this world, including Tomahawk and Minuteman missiles, including strategy meetings and war room debriefings. Jesus has the final say over all of it.' Toward the end of his sermon, Potteiger said 'we pray for the secretary's Christian prayer service as an event … Lord, may this become a place where Christians come together to do just this, and we see you move in power, not just through the Pentagon, but through our nation's capital and down throughout this great nation.' Hegseth and Potteiger's church is highly conservative, part of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, whose governing documents state that 'it is neither lawful nor honorable for women to be mustered for combat service,' and that 'it is the duty of men—not women—to protect their homelands and nations.' Hegseth has also said previously that he does not believe women should serve in combat roles. Asked about those comments during his confirmation hearing, Hegseth said he 'respects ever single female servicemember' and was only concerned about standards being lowered for women.
