John Eagleson was riding a motorcyle to work when he was shot and fatally wounded at Cookstown more than 44 years ago
A renewed appeal for information has been made into the shooting of a Reserve RUC constable on the outskirts of Cookstown more than 44 years ago.
Forty-nine-year-old John Eagleson, a married father of three, was riding a motorcyle to work when he was shot and killed on the morning of Friday, October 1, 1982.
The Independent Commission for Reconcilation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) has launched the appeal for the family of Mr Eagleson.
Assistant Commissioner, Amanda Logan said Mr Eagleson has been missed by his family who have come to the Commission seeking answers to what happened on that awful morning.
"John 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 (RUC), attached to Cookstown RUC Station,” she said.
“Shortly after 6am on 1 October 1982, John 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 mark BJI 5674.
John’s 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, John 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 John 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.”
She added: “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: telephone: 02890 362093. Email: [email protected]