Northern Ireland - Co. Fermanagh; Woman, two children dead after shooting, man in hospital; 23 July 2025

[LenaOdenthal]

Two children and woman dead after Fermanagh shooting

A boy, a girl and a woman in her 40s have died after a shooting near Maguiresbridge in Co Fermanagh yesterday, police have confirmed.

A man remains in a serious condition at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Superintendent Robert McGowan confirmed that all four people were from the same household and suffered gunshot wounds.

 

[elliefant]

From that article:

Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.

Police are treating this as a domestic incident.

One line of inquiry pursued by the PSNI is that what happened was a triple murder and attempted suicide.

 

[elliefant]

I read in the Mirror that the police don’t expect to make any arrests. I can only think that means they don’t expect him to survive.

 

[LenaOdenthal]

Mum and children killed in Maguiresbridge shooting tragedy named locally

The family members who died have been named. Rest in peace, Vanessa, James and Sara.

I read in the Mirror that the police don’t expect to make any arrests. I can only think that means they don’t expect him to survive.

In the BT article above PSNI is quoted as saying

The PSNI said it is “not anticipated at this stage that any further arrests will be made”.

It's slightly ambiguous I think. Could be meant to reinforce that not looking for anyone else, even though they have not been able to arrest him yet either.

 

[LenaOdenthal]

Vanessa Whyte was a veterinary surgeon. Could the household have legally owned rural type firearms?

 

[NopeNopeNope]

Vanessa Whyte was a veterinary surgeon. Could the household have legally owned rural type firearms?

Yes, it's possible. Northern Ireland has a bit of a complicated history with firearms so it's a bit more strict than either the Republic or the UK. Are you Irish @LenaOdenthal? I only ask because if you are, you'll be familiar with the way, in parts of rural Ireland, 'the law' can differ a bit from 'the way things are done'.

ETA: I live in the Republic, I'm in the Midlands now but previously lived not too far from the border between ROI and NI.

 

[LenaOdenthal]

Yep, I know exactly what you mean @NopeNopeNope. In fairness, WS posters in a number of other jurisdictions might say the same?

I suppose the detail of legally held or not is almost insignificant in one way, if someone wants to annihilate a family they'll find a way.

It's cold comfort, but we (general we, including the media) might have finally learned something from the Hawes tragedy, as the articles I've read talk about the victims and do not seem to talk about the fourth member of the household at all.

 

[NopeNopeNope]

In fairness, WS posters in a number of other jurisdictions might say the same?

I've never lived anywhere but rural Ireland (in a few counties) so I didn't want to assume; "the way things are done" is not always viewed as a positive here, depending on the situation or who you're talking to!!

I suppose the detail of legally held or not is almost insignificant in one way, if someone wants to annihilate a family they'll find a way.

Oh they will, unfortunately previous tragedies all over the world have shown that all too well.

It's cold comfort, but we (general we, including the media) might have finally learned something from the Hawes tragedy, as the articles I've read talk about the victims and do not seem to talk about the fourth member of the household at all.

I noticed this as well!! To slightly paraphrase Robin Williams as The Genie in Aladdin.. "They Can Be Taught!"

 

[FromGermany1]

Yep, I know exactly what you mean @NopeNopeNope. In fairness, WS posters in a number of other jurisdictions might say the same?

I suppose the detail of legally held or not is almost insignificant in one way, if someone wants to annihilate a family they'll find a way.

It's cold comfort, but we (general we, including the media) might have finally learned something from the Hawes tragedy, as the articles I've read talk about the victims and do not seem to talk about the fourth member of the household at all.

I'm German and love your username! Our tough Lena!

 

[elliefant]

PSNI issue fresh appeal for information in Maguiresbridge shootings Maguiresbridge murders: Police issue fresh appeal for information

Police investigating the murder of a mother and her two children in County Fermanagh have issued an appeal for information involving the movements of a silver Mercedes car.
…
Det Ch Insp Neil McGuinness said police wanted anyone who saw a car matching the description in the Clones Road area of Newtownbutler, or between Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler on Tuesday evening to contact them.
…
Police said no arrests had been made and it was not anticipated that any would be made.
They added that the investigation was at an early stage, but a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of inquiry for detectives.

 

[LenaOdenthal]

Police said no arrests had been made and it was not anticipated that any would be made.

Sounds like your first thought was right, he's not waking up or won't be fit to charge.

Suspect in Co Fermanagh triple murder remains in critical condition in hospital

Police want to question Ian Rutledge in connection with the triple murder of his two children and their mother

www.irishnews.com

The 999 call from inside the Co Fermanagh home came from the phone of 13-year-old Sara, it has been reported.

However, as reported by the Irish News, the phone was silent when answered by an emergency call handler, though a disturbance could be heard in the background.

 

[elliefant]

Maguiresbridge murder victims will be buried together in County Clare Maguiresbridge: Murder victims will be buried together in County Clare

The 45-year-old and her children, 14-year-old James Rutledge and 13-year-old Sara Rutledge, were shot and killed in their home in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday.

On Monday night the man suspected of killing them, Ian Rutledge (43) died in hospital.

 

[Mars Investigates]

Another tragedy involving a Mother and her children. Living in Rural Ireland myself the past 20 years. We had a similar incident happen in the local village. Words are never enough to explain the horror, trauma & grief this family and their community will have to live with.
Praying for them. R.I.P.

 

[Deleted member 367982]

Another tragedy involving a Mother and her children. Living in Rural Ireland myself the past 20 years. We had a similar incident happen in the local village. Words are never enough to explain the horror, trauma & grief this family and their community will have to live with.
Praying for them. R.I.P.

In Australia domestic violence is like a plague or a scourge. Every week one woman is murdered by their spouse. That would indicate how many families are living in complete fear.
Nothing seems to be done to stop this happening. Police are under-resourced to handle such situations to prevent escalations from occurring.
I was thinking of moving to Ireland to get away from it all, but now perhaps I wont.
We should all be keeping a closer ear to the ground (without meddling) about these things and offer a helping hand if it's needed.