Enniskillen in mourning on International Women's Day over suspected murder of woman (20s)

A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of murder - PSNI

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation following the death of a woman in Enniskillen on Saturday evening, 7th March.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Robinson, from the Major Investigation Team, said: “Police received a report that a man driving a grey Nissan Juke was involved in a collision on the Carn Road, near Tempo, at around 9.15pm on Saturday. Upon arrival, officers located the car but the driver had left the scene.

“Enquiries determined that the car was registered to an address in the Corban Avenue area of Enniskillen.

“When officers arrived at the house they discovered the body of a woman, aged in her 20s. A short time later, a man aged 45, was arrested near the scene on the Carn Road on suspicion of murder and other related offences. He remains in police custody at this time as enquiries continue.

“Our detectives are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the woman’s death, and I am appealing to anyone with information that could assist with our investigation to come forward.

“We’re especially keen to hear from anyone who was travelling on the Cornagrade Road into Corban Avenue between 6:30pm and 10:45pm on Saturday evening and noticed anything out of the ordinary, or suspicious, to make contact with us.”

Local Sinn Féin MP, Pat Cullen, said the whole community is in shock.

"On a day when we are marking International Women's Day, it is even more heartbreaking to be confronted with such an unthinkable act of violence.

Last July, the community of Fermanagh were stunned to learn of the murder of Vanessa Whyte and her two children, James and Sarah Rutledge, in the rural village of Fermanagh in an apparent murder/suicide. The children's father and Ms Whyte's estranged husband, Ian Rutledge, died in the days after the tragedy.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Commander, Superintendent Pete Cunningham said: “I want to reassure the local community that detectives are working at pace, and we would also urge members of the public not to speculate.

“As a victim-focused organisation, violence against women and girls is a priority for policing, and I understand that incidents like this will cause significant concern.

"We are doing everything we can to ensure women and girls feel safe in our communities," he concluded.

“I would encourage anyone who may have information about what happened on Saturday evening, regardless of how small it may seem, to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 1564 07/03/26.

“There will be an increased police presence in the area today, and over the coming days, our officers are here to help with any concerns you may have. Please reach out and speak with them if needed.

You can also submit a report or information online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/