A MOTHER and her two children – a girl and a boy – have died in a horror shooting which left one man seriously injured in Co Fermanagh.
A murder investigation has been launched and police are probing a triple murder and attempted suicide line of inquiry.
A woman, 40s, and two children have died in the horror shootingPhotopress Belfast
The PSNI has launched a murder investigationPacemaker Press
A man remains in serious condition in hospitalPacemaker Press
Police confirmed that all four individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were members of the same household.
The mother is aged in her 40s, but the ages of her two children have not yet been confirmed.
The incident took place in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge this morning.
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.
PSNI Superintendent Robert McGowan said that the suspect has a “limited footprint” with police.
Speaking in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, Mr McGowan said that two people were pronounced dead at the scene and a third person died in hospital.
The Fermanagh and Omagh District Commander confirmed that the surviving individual is a male adult.
Mr McGowan said the incident was ongoing when police arrived at the scene on Wednesday morning.
He told reporters: “It just happened prior to police attending, so, as you can appreciate, it’s a very harrowing scene for all involved.
“So, not only police officers, but colleagues in the ambulance service, and family members. Without going into detail, it’s a very harrowing scene for anybody to attend.”
‘WORKING AT PACE’
Cops also revealed that the 999 call was made from inside the Maguiresbridge property.
Superintendent McGowan said: “The alarm was raised, I believe, by a phonecall made from the house.”
Cops said no arrests have been made but that they are “working at pace to determine the circumstances”.
Mr McGowan added: “There is limited domestic history involving the people concerned and that is certainly one line of inquiry that the detectives will take forward.
‘TRAGIC EVENT’
“This is a quiet rural location and I’m aware that this tragic event will have sent shockwaves of sadness throughout the community.”
He said: “Earlier this morning, Wednesday 23 July, police received the report of an incident in Maguiresbridge.
“Officers, along with our colleagues in the Northern Ambulance Service, attended a house in the Drummeer Road area.
“Tragically, despite best medical efforts, two people were pronounced dead at the scene.
‘TOTAL SHOCK’
“Sadly, I can confirm that a third person has, this afternoon, passed away in hospital.
“A 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.
“I am keen to, first and foremost, express my sympathy to family members and loved ones who are today left in total shock, and who will inevitably be struggling to come to terms with their unimaginable loss.”
‘EARLY STAGE’
Superintendent McGowan continued: “Please be assured that you will see a continued police presence in the area, as we continue to carry out our enquiries.
“Our enquiries are at an early stage, and I would appeal for patience as we work to understand the events that have taken place. We will continue to bring updates as our investigation continues.
“In the meantime, I would ask anyone with information, CCTV footage or dashcam footage to contact us on 101, quoting reference 276 of 23/07/25.”
An air ambulance also attended the rural scene, which assisted in rushing one of the injured people to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
LOCAL DEVASTATION
The second injured victim was taken to the South West Acute Hospital by ambulance.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she is “absolutely heartbroken” by the news.
She added: “My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the local community. I have no doubt that the people of Maguiresbridge will come together and support one another through this incredibly difficult time.”
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn said the news today is “tragic and deeply distressing”.
The children who died in the incident have been confirmed as a boy and a girlPacemaker Press
Locals are coming to terms with the tragedyPacemaker Press
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it was “truly devastating” to hear of “this terrible and violent event”.
She added: “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. Terrible news.”
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong said the “loss of life” has shocked the local community.
She said: “Heartbreaking and distressing news from Maguiresbridge this morning.
“In the midst of this distressing news, police need space to investigate the situation and I urge people to give them that”.
“The loss of life and the serious injuries reported have shocked the local community.
“My thoughts are with the families of those affected and with everyone in the community as they come to terms with this tragedy.”
Alliance Enniskillen Councillor Eddie Roofe said the community is struggling to come to terms with the incident.
He said: “At a time like this, words can seem meaningless.
‘HARD TO COMPREHEND’
“But my thoughts and sympathies, like those of everyone in the county and beyond, are with the victims of this tragedy. The entire local community is devastated and struggling to come to terms with this incident.
“The death of children is always hard to comprehend but particularly when it comes in such a violent way.
“In the midst of this distressing news, police need space to investigate the situation and I urge people to give them that, as well as any information they may have relating to this horrific tragedy.”
The local Gaelic football club said those who died in the tragedy were all “active and beloved” members of the club.
‘HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES’
St Mary’s Maguiresbridge GFC said: “(We) 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 implement the Association’s critical incident protocols.
“We will work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it.”
Speaking at the scene, local MP Pat Cullen said she was “shocked to the core” and “heartbroken” at the incident.
‘SUCH A TRAGEDY’
“It’s such a tragedy to hear that a mother and two wee children have lost their lives here today, and another person seriously injured,” the Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative told PA.
“It’s just devastating news, devastating for the people of Maguiresbridge, a really close-knit community that I have got to know so well over the last year, just people that are the salt of the earth.
“I’m also thinking of all the wee school friends of those two wee children and what that must feel like for all of them and how the next few days and weeks will be for everyone, particularly just at the beginning of the school holidays.”
She added: “I think out of respect for the families alone it is so important that we give space now to the police to carry out their investigation.
‘TIME TO COME TOGETHER’
“Speculation doesn’t get us anywhere, it’s time now to come together and wrap ourselves around this community and give them all the care and attention that they need and deserve.”
Local MLA Deborah Erskine said there was “a deep sense of shock and distress” in the “close-knit, quiet, rural” community.
“I know having spoken to people within the community today, they are shocked, but the foremost thoughts are with the family,” she said at the scene.
“This family has had their lives completely and utterly turned upside down within a matter of hours today.”
APPEAL FOR PRIVACY
NI Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and NI Justice Minister Naomi Long also urged against online speculation and appealed for privacy for the families and friends of those who had died.
In a joint statement, they commended the work of the first responders and emergency services.
They said: “We are horrified and heartbroken to learn of the tragedy that has occurred in Maguiresbridge today.
“We send our deepest sympathies to the families affected and to the wider community in County Fermanagh.
‘TERRIBLE EVENT’
“The shock of this terrible event is being felt by many people and we would urge those in need of support to reach out to services provided within the health and social care system, and in the voluntary and community sector.
“We wish to commend the work of first responders and the emergency services, including the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, as well as staff from Western and Belfast Health and Social Care Trusts, the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service and Air Ambulance NI.
“Those who work in the front line of our emergency and health services are the best of us and we value their tremendous dedication and compassion at this most awful of times for families and the community.
“We would appeal for privacy for the families and friends of those who have died and would caution against speculation online as the PSNI continues its investigation.”
IF you have been impacted by the content of this article, there is help available 24/7 at Pieta on 1800 247 247, the Samaritans on 116 123, or you can reach SOSAD by calling the 24h helpline number 1800 901 909 or visiting sosadireland.ie.
Women’s Aid is also available on freephone 1800 341 900, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit www.womensaid.ie.
Supt Robert McGowan confirmed a third person died in hospital after the shootingPacemaker Press Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
