Fresh appeals for information have been made in a bid to find and bring to justice the killers of a County Tyrone man, who was shot dead as he made his way to work near Cookstown in 1982.
The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery is investigating the death of John Eagleson, who was shot and killed on Friday, October 1, 1982.
The investigation is being led by Assistant Commissioner Amanda Logan.
Speaking about the appeal for information, she said: “John was 49 years old and a married father of three when he was killed. He has been missed dearly by his family who have come to the Commission seeking answers about what happened that awful morning.”
Mr Eagleson worked as a lorry driver at the Blue Circle Cement Works, Cookstown and served as a part-time Reserve Constable with the Royal Ulster Constabulary, attached to Cookstown RUC Station.
Shortly after 6am on October 1, 1982, Mr Eagleson left his home on Orritor Road, to travel to the Blue Circle Cement Works on Sandholes Road, Cookstown. He was riding his white Honda 90 motorcycle, registration BJI 5674.
The Commission said his route to work was rural in nature, surrounded primarily by open farmland interspersed with isolated dwellings. While travelling along the Upper Kildress Road, near its junction with Drum Road, Mr Eagleson was shot and fatally wounded.
An individual in the locality reported hearing gunshots at around 6.30am. There were, however, no known eyewitnesses to the shooting.
Shortly before 7am several men travelling by car along the Upper Kildress Road observed a motorcycle lying on the grass verge near the junction with Drum Road.
When the men exited their vehicle to investigate, they discovered Mr Eagleson lying face down in the grass adjacent to the roadway. Believing that he had been involved in a road traffic collision they sought assistance at a nearby house, where the householder subsequently contacted the police and Ambulance Service.
A doctor attended the scene at 7.45am and pronounced Mr Eagleson deceased.
Speaking about the call for information, Assistant Commissioner Logan said: “Our previous witness appeals have proven helpful in uncovering new information which has assisted us in our investigations.
“Many years have passed since John Eagleson’s killing and there may be individuals who have lived all this time with knowledge of what happened.
“I appeal to anyone with information that could assist our investigation to come forward. What you know, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, could prove vital in uncovering the truth for John’s family.”
Anyone with information can contact the ICRIR by phone on (028) 9036 2093 or via email: witnessappeals@icrir.independent-inquiry.uk
