**Two Killed and Two Seriously Injured in Shooting Incident in County Fermanagh**
A tragic shooting incident has resulted in the deaths of two people and left two others with serious injuries in the usually quiet village of Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh. The event, which unfolded early on Wednesday morning, has shocked the local community and prompted a substantial response from emergency services.
Authorities responded to the incident shortly after 8am on Wednesday, 23 July. Police were quickly on the scene in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge, which sits approximately eight miles south-east of Enniskillen. Law enforcement swiftly moved to secure the area, closing off several roads to ensure public safety and to allow emergency teams unimpeded access.
A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that two individuals lost their lives as a result of the shooting. Two more individuals, whose identities have not yet been released, were seriously wounded and required urgent medical attention. In a statement, the spokesperson reassured the public: “We can advise there is no ongoing risk to the public.” Investigators are currently working to establish the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
Emergency responders from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) were alerted following a 999 call at 8.21am. The response included three emergency ambulances, a rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers, and an ambulance doctor. Additionally, the charity Air Ambulance Northern Ireland dispatched its Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) team to the site. After providing initial treatment at the scene, medical teams transported one patient by air ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, while another was taken by road ambulance to South West Acute Hospital.
While the investigation remains in its early stages, the scale of the emergency response underscores the seriousness of the incident. Local roads remain closed as forensic teams work diligently at the scene, combing for evidence and piecing together the circumstances leading up to the shootings.
Political figures weighed in on events, with Fermanagh and South Tyrone DUP MLA, Deborah Erskine, calling for calm and patience as authorities carry out their investigation. “There is an ongoing incident on Drummeer Road, Maguiresbridge. It is currently closed to road users,” she said. Ms Erskine went on to warn residents that the closure could cause delays on the nearby A4 Belfast Road and urged the public not to speculate on the causes or details of the tragedy until police share further information.
As news of the shooting spread, the community has been left shaken. Such violent events are rare in this part of Northern Ireland, and local residents have expressed horror and sadness at the loss of life and the impact on those injured and their families.
While details remain limited, police have pledged to provide updates as they become available. Residents are reminded to adhere to road closures, avoid the area, and refrain from sharing unverified information, in order to support the ongoing investigation.
The thoughts of many are with the victims and their families as Maguiresbridge comes to terms with an act of violence that has deeply affected the area. As of now, authorities continue to appeal for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward, as they seek answers and justice following this harrowing event.