A tight-knit rural community in County Fermanagh has been left reeling after a devastating shooting in Maguiresbridge claimed the lives of three members of the same household a woman and two children. A fourth person, a man, remains in serious condition in hospital.
Police were called to a home in the Drummeer Road area around 8:21am on Wednesday morning. Responding officers and paramedics from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service found a harrowing scene. Two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, and a third died later in hospital.
Superintendent Robert McGowan of the PSNI confirmed that all four individuals suffered gunshot wounds and belonged to the same family. The deceased have been identified as a woman in her 40s and two children one boy and one girl. Their exact ages have not yet been released.
"This is a deeply traumatic incident for all involved, including the first responders who attended the scene," Mr McGowan told reporters. "It's a quiet rural area, and the nature of what unfolded this morning is nothing short of tragic."
Police have launched a murder investigation and are pursuing a line of inquiry that includes the possibility of a triple murder and attempted suicide. Officers noted there is “limited domestic history” involving the family, and that the situation was ongoing when they arrived.
The alarm was raised by a phone call made from within the house.
THE SCENE IN THE DRUMMEER ROAD AREA OF MAGUIRESBRIDGE, CO FERMANAGH (OLIVER MCVEIGH/PA)
As news of the tragedy spread, shock and sorrow rippled through the local community. St Mary’s Maguiresbridge GFC, the local Gaelic football club, confirmed that the victims were all active and well-loved members of the club.
In a statement, the 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 provide support to those affected.”
Northern Ireland’s political leaders were united in grief and support for the community.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she was “absolutely heartbroken,” and expressed her condolences to the victims’ loved ones and the people of Maguiresbridge.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly called the events “truly devastating,” adding:
“My thoughts at this dreadful time are with the loved ones, family and friends, but most of all for the tragedy of the lives cut off so cruelly.”
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn described the shooting as “tragic and deeply distressing,” urging the public not to speculate and to allow the police investigation to proceed unhindered.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Justice Minister Naomi Long issued a joint statement expressing heartbreak over the loss of life. They thanked emergency personnel for their swift response and called for privacy for the grieving families.
“The shock of this terrible event is being felt by many people,” the statement read. “We would urge those in need of support to reach out to available services.”
As the investigation continues, a sombre mood has settled over Maguiresbridge. What was once a quiet rural road is now the focus of a complex and painful probe and a community, united in grief, is left searching for answers.
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