A prayer service held for a mother and two children killed in a shooting incident in County Fermanagh has been told that "we cannot rationalise what should never have taken place". Hundreds of people gathered in Barefield, County Clare, on Sunday evening to remember the victims.
Vanessa Whyte, 45, a veterinarian originally from County 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. Whyte was originally from Barefield, a village near Ennis.
Parish priest pays tribute
Parish priest Fr Tom Fitzpatrick told the congregation that 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".
Three candles representing Whyte, James and Sara sat on the altar during the service. Those gathered were told that she was a woman who "gave and gave".
Family grief acknowledged
Fr Fitzpatrick said Whyte was "a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunty and a great friend to so many people". He added that James and Sara were "young lives just beginning, so full of promise, so loved, so full of light" who had been "taken away from this world all too soon in a violent way".
The priest acknowledged the profound grief of Whyte's mother Mary, who remained at home during the service. "No mother should ever have to endure this," Fr Fitzpatrick said, adding that Mary's "grief is a very deep ocean indeed".
Community support promised
Fr Fitzpatrick told the congregation that the community would continue to support the family "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" but emphasised they were not alone.
The priest said the heartbreak was "the price we pay for love" but added that love would help Whyte's family carry their grief in the weeks and months ahead. He told those gathered they were "held by a community of people who are walking with you through this darkness".
Investigation continues
A murder investigation has been launched by police, while an adult male remains in a serious condition in hospital. The man was a member of the same household, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said the investigation is ongoing and appealed for information about the movements of a silver Mercedes saloon car. Police want to hear from anyone who saw the vehicle being driven in the Clones Road area of Newtownbutler, or between Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler, on the evening of Tuesday July 22.
Funeral arrangements
It is understood that the funeral of Whyte and her two children will take place in Barefield later this week. Anyone with information or dashcam footage that could assist the investigation is asked to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference 276 23/07/25.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
