Vigil Scheduled for Woman and Children Slain in Shooting

A vigil is to be held this evening in memory of Vanessa Whyte and her two children who were murdered in their Co Fermanagh home. The 45-year-old veterinary surgeon, originally from Barefield in Co Clare, was shot dead along with her 14-year-old son James and 13-year-old daughter Sara. A man, who police say was a member of the same household, was also found with a gunshot wound. He is seriously ill in hospital. Police have said they are not looking for anyone else and are investigating the incident as a potential triple murder and attempted suicide.

Ms Whyte and one of the children were pronounced dead at the scene on Drummeer Road on Wednesday. The second child died later in hospital. Police said they received a 999 call from someone inside the house appealing for help shortly before 8am on Wednesday. Officers were despatched immediately from Enniskillen station around 13km away. When they arrived at the property, they found four people inside with gunshot wounds.

Ms Whyte worked as a veterinary surgeon for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland. James and Sara were both pupils at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. The vigil will take place in the village of Maguiresbridge at 7pm this evening not far from the family home. A book of condolence is also being opened there. The vigil has been organised by a local community association. In a social media post, it said it felt 'it is important that our close-knit community have an opportunity come together and support each other at this difficult time. This is an opportunity for our village to stand together in the face of such grief,' said the post.

According to the source: RTE.ie.