Funeral hears of unspeakable loss of murdered mum and children

A woman and her two children who were murdered last week in County Fermanagh were "taken from this world in a cruel and vicious manner", one of the victims sisters has said.

Veterinary surgeon Vanessa Whyte, 45, her 14-year-old son James Rutledge and 13-year-old daughter Sara Rutledge were shot dead in Maguiresbridge.

Vanessas sister, Regina Whyte, said there were "no words available to express how this has impacted" their family and friends as she delivered the eulogy at their funeral in Barefield, County Clare.

They were buried together in nearby Templemaley Cemetery after the funeral Mass.

"We as a family have been robbed of both a relationship with our sister and a chance to see James and Sara grow up, and they have been robbed of the remainder of their lives," Ms Whyte said.

She added that the familys "only comfort" is that Vanessa, James and Sara are "together and finally safe".

The Bishop of Ferns, Ger Nash, spoke of how "heartbroken" the community is at the "tragic and unspeakable loss".

Bishop Nash added that the condolence messages left by some women who do not know the family highlight "the vulnerability of women to pain inflicted by others", and that the messages are "signs of solidarity in the face of that pain".

The congregation heard that Vanessa was "hardworking, honest and always ready to lend a helping hand" as a blue card and cattle tags, which help to identify animals, were placed beside her coffin to symbolise her career as a vet.

A hurl was placed next to James coffin as the pitch was his "second home" and he spent countless hours there with his friends and teammates.

Mourners were told he played with pride, but that it "was the spirit he carried off it - loyalty, dependability and kindness" that defined him.

A cat toy was placed in tribute to Saras "love for animals" and her "gentle presence".

She was remembered for her love of lifes simple joys, including baking a cake and playing sport, as well as her "soft yet strong" spirit.

Mourners attending the funeral were asked to wear bright and cheerful colours in their memory.

Pupils from Enniskillen Royal Grammar, where James and Sara went to school, were among those who came to pay their respects.

Just before 11:30 local time, three black hearses returned to the church of the immaculate conception in Barefield, County Clare.

Hundreds of people lined the route from St Marys GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) in Maguiresbridge and St Patricks Hurling club in Lisbellaw where the family were members.

The purple and navy of Vanessas childhood club, St Josephs Doora Barefield, was represented in even bigger numbers.

A representative from the Irish Government and the GAA president Jarlath Burns were also among those in attendance.

Emergency services were called to the home of Ms Whyte and her children on the Drummeer Road on 23 July, a rural area about 75 miles (121km) west of Belfast and about eight miles from the countys largest town, Enniskillen.

Two of the victims were declared dead at the scene and a third died later that day in South West Acute Hospital.

Hours after the attack, police said a man from the same household was in hospital with gunshot wounds.

Following the shootings, police said a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of inquiry for detectives.

On Monday night, the man suspected of the killings, 43-year-old Ian Rutledge, died in hospital.

Detectives investigating the shooting also reiterated their appeal for "anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward".