The family of a Catholic man shot dead more than 30 years ago have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Eugene Martin (30), from Ballyronan, Co Derry, was gunned down by a UVF murder squad as he worked at his taxidermy workshop on February 2 1993.
It is believed the murdered man may have known one of his killers, who knocked on a side window of his workshop, as customers normally did.
It was reported at the time of the murder that Mr Martin told a friend that he had stumbled on the identities of UVF members he believed were responsible for killing Catholics and republicans in the Mid Ulster area.
It was also speculated that Mr Martin may have been killed because loyalists believed he had overheard plans to carry out a murder in the south Derry area.
A car used by the killers is believed to have been hijacked in north Belfast.
At a 1994 inquest a senior RUC officer said all inquiries showed the murdered man was an innocent person with friends from all walks of life.
His family said they knew of no reason why he should be singled out.
In a callous twist it has now emerged that around 30 minutes after the shooting a member of Mr Martin’s family received a call from an unidentified person who asked to speak to the victim.
After being told the taxidermist had been shot dead it is claimed the caller replied: “So, are you getting him stuffed?”
Pat Conway, of Relatives for Justice, said Mr Martin was known to his killers.
“Apart from the totally callous nature of such an action coming on top of a brutal slaying it is clear that Eugene was killed by a person or persons who knew him,” he said.
“Eugene was a well-known taxidermist and wildlife fowler and because of his particular skill set was much sought after by people from all sections of the community.”
Mr Martin’s family have now asked for RFJ to act on their behalf
“Nobody was ever brought to account for the killing and there are members of the family still seeking answers after all this time,” Mr Conway said.
Anyone with information about the murder of Mr Martin should contact pat.conway@relativesforjustice.com.
