‘Shockwaves of Sadness’

Veterinary community mourns Vanessa Whyte and her children Sara and James following Maguiresbridge tragedy

The veterinary community was shocked following the fatal shooting in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, of veterinary surgeon Vanessa Whyte and her children, Sara and James.

Vanessa was originally from Ennis, Co Clare.

DAERA issues a statement on the passing of their colleague Vanessa Whyte.

DAERA Permanent Secretary Katrina Godfrey said: “It is with deep regret that DAERA has learned about the death of our colleague, Vanessa Whyte. We are deeply saddened by the passing of her and her children in these tragic circumstances. Vanessa was a valued member of our Veterinary Services and Animal Health Group and a hugely respected member of the veterinary profession. She will be greatly missed by all who worked alongside her. On behalf of the Department, we offer our sincere condolences to her family, friends and all those in the community impacted by her and her children’s deaths. They will remain in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days and months ahead as they and we come to terms with the loss.”

Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher said: “Vanessa was a highly respected member of the DAERA Veterinary Services and Animal Health Group, a devoted mother and an active member of her local community. Many of us had the privilege of knowing Vanessa personally and she was hugely admired by all those who came across her. The loss we feel today is immense and it has profoundly affected us. The next few days, weeks and months will be difficult for all who knew her – especially her family. We are thinking of her family, friends and neighbours at this time and we ask that people give everyone the time and space to come to terms with their loss at this difficult time.”

Veterinary NI was also shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic events.

“The veterinary community has lost a respected, popular and immensely professional colleague. Our hearts go out to everyone affected – all three of the victims friends and family, the wider Maguiresbridge community and of course, Vanessa’s veterinary colleagues.”

Veterinary NI also posted a link to Vet Support, which provides volunteer peer support.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly on Wednesday expressed their shock at the tragedy.

“We are deeply saddened by the events which have unfolded in Maguiresbridge this morning,” they said in a joint statement.

“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims and their families, and the wider community.

“We want to pay tribute to and thank our emergency services who responded to the incident.”

Superintendent Robert McGowan said that the suspect had a “limited footprint” with police. Speaking in Enniskillen, Mr McGowan said that two people were pronounced dead at the scene and a third person died in hospital.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 8.21am on Wednesday and dispatched three emergency ambulances, one rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers and an ambulance doctor to the scene.

Mr McGowan said: “Police received a report of an incident in Maguiresbridge. Officers, along with their colleagues in the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, attended a house in the Drummeer Road area.

“Tragically, despite best medical efforts, two people were pronounced dead at the scene. Sadly, I can confirm that a third person has this afternoon passed away in hospital.

“The fourth person, who was taken to hospital, remains in a condition described as serious. All four had sustained gunshot wounds and I can confirm that all four individuals are from the same household.”

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A Note on Vet Support

Vet Support has a range of peer volunteers from Northern Ireland.

The peer supporters are all volunteers from within the veterinary family, who are focussed on delivering safe and confidential support using recognised coaching tools. They have been trained and successfully assessed. They are committed to ongoing training to ensure the quality of the service they deliver to help encourage and improve the emotional wellbeing of our veterinary family throughout the UK and Ireland.

The group comprises a range of veterinary surgeons and nurses from equine, small and large animal practice and the wider veterinary industry. The service can be trusted completely in terms of confidentiality and integrity.

Contact any member of the Vet Support team on their direct email address or email info@vetsupport.me where they guarantee a reply within 24hrs.