An investigation into the shooting of Reserve Constable Eagleson on 1 October 1982

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery is investigating the death of John Eagleson who was shot and killed on Friday 1 October 1982. 

John, a married father of three, was 49 years old when he was killed. He 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. 

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 a number of 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. 

A doctor attended the scene at 7.45am and pronounced Mr Eagleson deceased. 

The Commission is appealing to anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward to assist the investigation and help provide answers to John’s family. 

All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.