Prayer Service in Clare for Family Tragedy Victims

A prayer service will take place this evening in the parish of Doora-Barefield in Co Clare for Vanessa Whyte and her two children, who were murdered at their home on the outskirts of Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh.

Ms Whyte, a 45-year-old vet, was originally from Barefield in Co Clare. She, her 14-year-old son, James, and 13-year-old daughter, Sara, were murdered in a shooting incident at their home on Wednesday morning.

A murder investigation has been launched, while an adult male - who police said was a member of the same household - remains in a serious condition in hospital.

The vigil will be held at 7pm at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Barefield, where several members of Ms Whyte's family still live.

The service had been delayed to allow her brother, Ivor, time to return from Australia.

Speaking to RTÉ News, Doora-Barefield Parish Priest, Fr Tom Fitzpatrick, said it would be an opportunity for the community and the parish to express their sadness to the family.

There will be reflections, prayers and scripture readings at this evening's service. There will also be music, led by the Barefield Church Choir.

It's understood that the funeral of the mother and her two children will take place in Barefield later this week.

Yesterday, police appealed for information involving the movements of a vehicle.

On Friday, hundreds of people attended a community vigil for the family in Maguiresbridge.