The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) has issued a public appeal for information about the fatal shooting of Joseph James Speer, a 46-year-old car garage owner and part-time Lance-Corporal in the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR). The appeal coincides with the 50th anniversary of his death.

Speer, known as Jimmy, was killed at approximately 6.10pm on 9 November 1976 at his garage on Longfield Road, Desertmartin, County Londonderry. He was a married father of three.

According to the commission, shortly before 6pm two armed men entered a car mechanics garage on Drumard Road in Draperstown and stole a light blue Ford Cortina, registration JIA6492. At around 6.10pm, a man entered the office at Speer's garage and asked for someone to look at his car's radiator, saying it was leaking water. Speer, who was leaning on the office counter speaking with staff, said he would help shortly. The man then produced a gun and shot him; a second gunman also fired. The attackers fled at speed along Longfield Road in the stolen Cortina, abandoning the vehicle on Motalee Road, Magherafelt.

Amanda Logan, Assistant Commissioner at the ICRIR, is leading the investigation. She said the commission is launching the appeal on the 50th anniversary of the killing and that the attack had devastated a family. She added that for half a century Speer's loved ones have endured the pain of their loss and that the commission is working to provide them with the truth about what happened. Logan appealed to anyone with information, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward.

Speer's children, Deirdre, Cheryl and Dermot, issued a statement marking the anniversary. They said they were present at their father's last breath and that their lives collapsed in that moment. They were aged 16, 14 and nine at the time. They described how their mother, Ruby, became a UDR widow and single mother. They noted that their father was born on Christmas Day in 1929 and that Christmas became difficult for the family after his death, and that their parents' wedding anniversary fell on their mother's birthday. Deirdre's 17th birthday fell on Remembrance Day and on the day of the funeral. The family also said the Provisional IRA had taken those occasions from them.

In their statement, the family asked those responsible why they dehumanised a loving family man, why they do not accept responsibility for their actions, whether they care that lives were wrecked, and whether they truly believed there was no alternative to murdering a man because he held a different political, cultural and religious outlook.

Kenny Donaldson, chief executive of SEFF, said Speer was a respected member of the Desertmartin community, involved in its economic, cultural and social life. He said Speer was murdered for reasons of ethnic and sectarian hatred, and that the impact on the family has been significant and continues. He urged anyone with information that could lead to transparency and accountability to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the ICRIR on 02890 362093 or via [email protected].