Fermanagh victims' family taking comfort in them being 'together and finally safe'

Mourners at Vanessa Whyte's funeral heard of how she should have been returning to Clare for a celebration, the birth of her nephew, but instead her life and the lives of her two children had been cruelly snuffed out, as they gathered to say their final goodbyes on Saturday.

Vanessa, as well as her daughter Sara and son James, were shot dead at Maguiresbridge, in Fermanagh, at the end of July, with the late Ian Rutledge believed to be the only suspect in the deaths of his family.

On Saturday, GAA clubs from across Clare, Galway, and Fermanagh formed a guard of honour along Barefield village in Clare as the family was brought to the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

As the funeral service unfolded, Vanessa's sister Regina spoke of how the children had been robbed of the rest of their lives and the family had been robbed of seeing them grow into the people they would become.

She spoke of how Vanessa's life had been taken in a way that was cruel and vicious, and how she was due to return to Clare for the birth of her nephew.

The funeral mass for Vanessa Whyte and her children James and Sara. Pic: Rollingnews.ie

Regina spoke of how, despite everything that has been taken from them, they are taking a small measure of comfort from knowing that Vanessa has her children on either side of her forever.

'For us as a family, the only comfort we have is that Vanessa, James, and Sara are together and finally safe,' she told mourners at the church. 'Vanessa will have her children at either side of her forever, as they were when they were alive.'

According to Extra.ie, Regina added: 'This was supposed to be a happy and joyous occasion, where Vanessa would see her new nephew and Sara and James would meet their baby cousin Harry Joe for the first time. Instead, we are in the position of choosing coffins, final burial places and funeral hymns.'

Bishop of Ferns, Ger Nash, described the events that led to the deaths of the family as something that will leave family and friends struggling for answers.

The funeral mass for Vanessa Whyte and her children James and Sara. Pic: Rollingnews.ie

He said: '...The ripping away of three people from their family and friends leaves us searching for answers and coming back again and again to the only answer that is completely true: "We don't know."

Those who attended the funeral were asked to wear bright colours. Bishop Nash spoke of how Jesus is described as a light that darkness cannot overpower, and that was signified in the wearing of the bright colours.

Mourners listen from outside the church at the funeral for Vanessa Whyte and her children Sara and James Rutledge, at Church of the Immaculate Conception in Barefield, Co Clare. Pic: PA Images

Mourners also heard of the family's love of Gaelic games and how they were the strongest supporters of the Clare hurlers and regularly travelled long distances to attend matches.

Bishop Nash signed off his message by mentioning the great outpouring of love and support the family has and will continue to receive.

'At great cost, you have discovered that many people want to walk with you on your journey of pain.'

Vanessa, Sara, and James will be buried at Templemaley Cemetery in Clare.