The adult children of a Desertmartin garage owner and lance corporal in the Ulster Defence Regiment have said in a statement marking the 50th anniversary of his murder that they remain locked in the day the Provisional IRA “stole away his life”.

Jimmy Speer was killed on November 9, 1976, when three men drove into his garage and asked him to look at a leaking radiator before shooting him.

His children, Deirdre, Cheryl and Dermot, said: "In many ways 50 years is a long period of time, but when it comes to terrorism and losing a loved one as a consequence, time does not have the same meaning. In many ways we, as the children of Jimmy Speer, remain locked in the day the Provisional IRA callously stole away his life.

"We were aged just 16, 14 and 11 years and in that moment of sheer horror, our lives collapsed before us. Our mum (Ruby) was given a new identity that she never asked for, nor deserved, she was now a UDR CGC widow, a single mother and she had to somehow find the strength to carry on - for us.

placeholder image — Jimmy Speer. Credit: Family handout

"People outside of those who have a loved-one murdered, think that the anniversary date of the murder is the day in the year when we would find living particularly difficult, but that doesn't come close to the full story. Our dad was born on Christmas Day (1929), and each Christmas it was a double celebration for us as children; following father's murder we never felt able to connect with Christmas in the same way again.

"Our parents’ wedding anniversary was on our mother’s birthday, so she never had another birthday that held any joy. Nor did Deirdre, whose 17th birthday fell, not just on Remembrance Day, but on the day of our father's funeral. The Provisional IRA also stole those from us. At graduations, weddings, births of grandchildren, there was always his empty place.

Keen Interest

"Dad was brought up on a farm outside Moneymore but he always had a keen interest in machinery, and he was determined to get his own business going. With his father, he built the garage across from our family home.

Jimmy and Ruby together on their wedding day. Credit: Family handout

"At the time he was murdered, he had already expanded into car sales, renting of agricultural machinery had built an extension to his premises and bought adjoining land. Our father was respected for his work ethic, for his community work and he was considered a very fair man and a good neighbour by both sections of the community.

"As part of his service to the community he was a member of the Ulster Special Constabulary and then the Ulster Defence Regiment, because he believed in democracy and law. ”He was a committed member of the Orange Order (Cranny LOL 1015) and a founder member of Desertmartin Black Preceptory. He was also a member of the local Masonic Lodge. He was a Christian man and regularly worshiped at Lecumpher Presbyterian Church.

"Our dad was shot in his own garage when three men drove in, asked him to look at a leaking radiator and then proceeded to shoot him in the head at close range. He had no chance - but then, they never intended him to have. We were there for his last breath. We can never forget that. We will never forget that the last person to look into his blue eyes, was his murderer.

"A few days after father's funeral we returned the wreath which had been delivered to our home from the Secretary of State. Our parents, knowing how vicious republican hatred burned in south Londonderry, knew the danger of his serving in the security forces. They had discussed the Secretary of State’s hypocrisy in providing wreaths for soldiers’ funerals, whilst they could not provide action against the perpetrators.

Jimmy Speer who was murdered by the Provisional IRA 50 years ago. Credit: Family handout

"My Mum knew that had to be highlighted. 50 years on, little has really changed; we, like all innocent victims and survivors, continue to have an uphill battle for recognition, respect and just accountability for what was brought to our door. To so many doors.

"The imagery of that day will never leave us; it's not an experience that any child (or adult) should have to live it, day after day.

"There remains a distance to go in terms of our father's case, and we are currently working with the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) seeking progress with the case; we remain steadfast in our commitment to see accountability being fulfilled for father's murder. He deserves this and so much more.

"To those assassins and all involved in the planning and execution of this sickening deed; who believed our father was a 'legitimate target,' let them answer these questions:

“Why did you see fit to dehumanise a loving family man and devoted father and husband?
“Why do you not stand by your convictions now and own responsibility for what you did?
Why do you deny what you claim was just and honourable?
Do you care that you wrecked lives?
“Do you really believe there was 'No Alternative' to murdering a man in cold blood because he had a different political, cultural and religious outlook to you?"

"Your mantra is the unification of Protestants, Catholics and Dissenters in a united Ireland. You have not achieved this; despite all the death and destruction you have inflicted on Ulster; you have not achieved it through either bomb or gun. You will never achieve it," concluded the family statement.

Meanwhile, Victims campaigner Kenny Donaldson, CEO with SEFF, stated: "The Speer family are another family who have had next to no focus over the years, we support the call for anyone living within this community who has information which could lead to belated transparency and accountability around what they have been subjected to search their hearts.”