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20 Sept 2025

BREAKING: Clare woman shot and killed alongside her children in Fermanagh named locally

Vanessa Whyte was in her 40s and worked as a veterinary surgeon

BREAKING: Clare woman shot and killed alongside her children in Fermanagh named locally

Pictured is Vanessa Whyte and her children James and Sara

A mother who was killed alongside her two children at their home in Fermanagh have been named locally as Clare woman Vanessa Whyte. 

Originally from Ennis, Ms Whyte was aged in her 40s and worked as a veterinary surgeon in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.

She was fatally shot along with her children, James and Sara, on Wednesday morning, July 23. 

A fourth person, a man, remains in a serious condition in hospital and it has been confirmed by the PNSI that all four were members of the same family. 

Superintendent Robert McGowan said all four suffered gunshot wounds and police are now probing a triple murder and attempted suicide line of inquiry. 

Speaking in Enniskillen, Mr McGowan said that two people were pronounced dead at the scene while a third person died in hospital that Wednesday afternoon.

He added: “There is limited domestic history involving the people concerned and that is certainly one line of inquiry that the detectives will take forward.”

Authorities and ambulances were dispatched when a phone call was made from the house where the incident was taking place.

READ MORE: Gardaí seek witnesses following incident at well-known pub in Shannon

A native of Barefield, Ms Whyte moved to Fermanagh several years ago where she and her children have been described as active members of the community. They were widely known for their love of sports, specifically football and hurling, where they were involved with St Marys Gaelic Football Club (GFC) in Maguiresbridge and St Patricks Hurling Club in Lisbellaw. 

In a statement yesterday, a spokesperson for the Gaelic football club said, "St Mary’s Maguiresbridge GFC offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those impacted by the tragic incident which happened in our community this morning.

"We are working with the GAA at county, provincial and national level, to implement the Association’s critical incident protocols. We will work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it.
"The deceased were all active and beloved members of our club. We will not be making any further comment at this difficult time," they added. 
Enniskillen Cricket Club has asked everyone to "pull together and support each other" through this tragedy. 
Taking to social media last night, a member said, "Tonight we as a club are extremely saddened by the tragic events that occurred in Maguiresbridge today. 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. In what is a hard time for our small community, we would ask everyone to pull together and support each other through these difficult times," they concluded. 
It is understood that An Garda Síochána is assisting the PNSI in liaising with Ms Whyte's family members in Clare. 

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