Club creates memorial jersey in honour of mother and children killed in shooting

Memorial jersey orders by contacting the club before February 23.

A local hurling club is set to release a commemorative jersey in tribute to Vanessa Whyte and her two children, who were killed in a shooting at their Fermanagh home last year.

St. Patrick’s Lisbellaw Hurling Club, the nearest hurling club to Maguiresbridge and closely associated with St Mary’s Maguiresbridge GAA, is taking orders for the special-edition jersey through its social media channels.

The initiative honours Co Clare native Vanessa (45) and her children, James (14) and Sara (13), who died after being shot at their home in Maguiresbridge in July 2025.

The family was widely respected in the local community and had strong ties to GAA clubs in the area.

The bespoke jersey will feature the names Vanessa, James and Sara on the back, along with a blue and yellow heart-shaped emblem incorporating crossed hurleys. The colours reflect those of Vanessa’s home county, Co Clare.

In a post on its Facebook page, Lisbellaw St Patrick’s said anyone wishing to purchase the memorial jersey should contact the club before February 23.

Earlier this year, St Mary’s Maguiresbridge GAA organised a memorial walk that raised £1,100 for Fermanagh Women’s Aid in memory of the three.

They were also remembered at the Fermanagh GAA County Convention in December last year.

Ms Whyte, a veterinary surgeon, was described as “a tireless worker in her adopted club of Lisbellaw St Patrick’s and a driving force to make things happen.”

She and her children died following the shooting at a property on Drummeer Road.

The death of the only suspect, 43-year-old agricultural contractor Ian Rutledge, was confirmed almost a week later.

A funeral Mass for Vanessa and her children took place in her native Barefield, Co Clare, and they were laid to rest together in Templemaley Cemetery.

A community vigil had earlier been held in Maguiresbridge in their memory.