Family appeal for return of memorial items stolen by heartless thieves

Police have been called into investigate the thefts, which took place in two separate areas in the district last month. It was discovered by the family of John Glasgow, a popular businessman in the Cookstown village who passed away suddenly in 2009.

Since his death Mr Glasgow’s family have raised cash for a local charity in his memory through an annual vintage road run. A banner, promoting the event due to take place this weekend, was discovered to have been removed on June 16th from a fence close to Garden World on the Dungannon Road. Shortly after this, John’s wife, Helen, found that a name plaque, photograph of her husband and a brass memorial plaque had been taken from a hut dedicated to the 55 year-old on the grounds of Tullyhogue Vintage Club on the old Loughry Road.

Mrs Glasgow has now made a heartfelt plea to those responsible to return the items.

Speaking to the MAIL, the grandmother said: “We first discovered that the banner went missing around June 17th. But we had thought that it might have been young ones playing a joke or prank on their way home from a night out.

“So we searched the Dungannon Road, looked in hedges and fields, but unfortunately nothing could be found. Then last Tuesday I visited Tullylagan Vintage Club Hut, which was dedicated to John in 2010 and found that name plaque, erected on the outside of the hut, was missing.

“When I opened up the hut, which was locked, I also discovered that a brass memorial plaque and a photograph of John which sat in the inside was missing.”

“It’s very upsetting for us, John’s family and friends as a whole that these items have been taken.”

Mrs Glasgow, who has contacted police to investigate the incidents, fears that the thefts could have a malicious link.

“When the banner first disappeared, I didn’t think too much into it. But when I discovered the other items had also disappeared it made me think that it is all linked. The plagues would have had to have been removed with equipment.”

“We are all very upset, John was a popular figure throughout the community and in the vintage club. “His death was a big shock to us, and it is still hard to come to terms with. So the return of these items is very important to us, and all who knew and loved John.”

Saturday will mark the fourth annual vintage road run in memory of the Tullyhogue man. All cash raised will go to Diabetes UK. So far John’s family and friends and Tullyhogue Vintage Club have helped raise almost £5,000 for the charity in his memory.

Anyone with any information please contact Helen Glasgow on 028 8676 3046 or PSNI Cookstown.

At the request of the family and some club members an extraordinary club meeting for TVOA has been arranged for tonight Thursday 5th July at 8pm at John’s Hut to discuss the disappearance of the plaques and Johns photograph. The annual vinatge run will gather at Gardenworld, Dungannon Road, Cookstown at 9.30am.