The village of Maguiresbridge in Co Fermanagh has come to a standstill for a service of removal for a woman and her two children murdered there last week.
Vanessa Whyte, 45, her son 14-year-old James Rutledge and 13-year-old daughter Sara Rutledge died in a shooting at a property on the Drummeer Road.
People stood in silence to pay their respects as the remains of the three arrived at St Mary’s Church.
Many of them wore GAA jerseys as those who perished were proud members of the local GAA club.
St Mary’s Maguiresbridge football team and St Patrick’s Lisbellaw hurling team wore their kits while school friends of James and Sara from Enniskillen Royal Grammar and from their previous school, Maguiresbridge Primary, turned out in respect by wearing their uniforms.
Father Raymond Donnelly said people had gathered in a church “filled with grief”.
He added: “There is a heaviness in the air, a silence within our hearts, that speaks volumes.
“The tragedy we have endured has shaken this community, and our country, to its core.
“We are left shocked, grieving, heartbroken, searching for meaning, grappling with questions too deep for words.”
He added: “The loss of Vanessa and her two beautiful children, James and Sara – lives taken in such an unspeakable way – is more than any heart should bear.
“A woman full of kindness and warmth, a friend to so many here.
“And her children, so young, so vibrant, so full of promise.
“Their laughter rang through school corridors, through playing fields, especially on the GAA pitch, where they thrived with passion and joy.”
He said their “bright spirits will remain a part of every game played in their memory.”
He told the grieving family members “you are not alone”, and told James and Sara’s classmates to “know that it is OK to feel confused, angry, sad and to cry.”
“Please speak to someone. Speak to your parents, to your teachers, to your clergy.”
Among those attending the service are Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, former first minister Arlene Foster and Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen.
Following this morning’s service, their remains will be brought to Co Clare, where a funeral mass will take place this weekend.
Meanwhile, the man suspected of killing Ms Whyte and her children died in hospital on Monday evening.
Ian Rutledge, 43, had been in hospital in a serious condition following the shooting.
It is understood the agricultural contractor is the only suspect in the shooting of his family.
Fermanagh village comes to standstill for removal service for tragic family was last modified: July 30th, 2025 by Staff Writer