GAA pay tribute to mother and children killed in Fermanagh shooting

It took place ahead of the All Ireland Senior Football final in memory of Vanessa Whyte and her children, James and Sara who were fatally injured following a shooting at their home on Wednesday.

The trio’s names appeared on a screen alongside their picture while a minute’s applause took place before Kerry faced off Donegal.

Veterinary surgeon Ms Whyte was in her 40s and originally from Co Clare.

A man remains in hospital following gunshot wounds with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) believing the horror incident was an attempted murder-suicide.

The popular matriarch had played camogie for the local club, St Joseph’s Doora Barefield, with locals telling of her love of hurling and Clare GAA.

 St Josephs’ Doora Barefield GAA club said it was "shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic passing yesterday of Barefield native Vanessa Whyte and her two beautiful children James and Sara in Fermanagh."

After relocating to the North, Vanessa joined St Patrick’s Lisbellaw Hurling Club, where her children were also members.

No funeral details have been released for the family as of yet, though it is expected it will take place in Vanessa’s native of Clare.

Fr Tom Fitzpatrick, parish priest in ­Barefield, Co. Clare, told Clare FM ­last week that though no details have been finalized, it’s the family’s wish that the funeral be held in Clare.

Clare FM reported that Ms Whyte "was a frequent visitor to friends and family in Barefield and was a keen Clare GAA supporter, even attending last year’s All-Ireland hurling final with Sara and James".

A vigil took place over the weekend at Maguiresbridge Primary School, where James and Sara had both previously attended.

School principal Honor Irvine described the two sporty kids as popular, noting she had taught them both for two years.

"James was full of fun, always laughing, loved to get a laugh, loved to be ­outdoors. Sara was the same. Sara loved outdoors, bit of a tomboy, and the two of them got on very well, [had] lots of friends and were very popular in school" she said.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.