Memorial service in Warrington marks 25 years since IRA bombing
ByBrendan Hughes
A MINUTE of silence was observed by hundreds of people in Warrington yesterday to mark 25 years since an IRA bomb killed two young boys.
Johnathan Ball (3) and Tim Parry (12) died and 54 others were injured when two bombs hidden inside litter bins exploded on March 20 1993.
The Provisional IRA admitted responsibility the following day for the Bridge Street attack.
Families of the victims were joined by faith leaders and representatives of the British and Irish governments for the 25th anniversary memorial service.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, mayor of Liverpool Steven Rotheram, Anne the Princess Royal, and Labour MP Conor McGinn were among those who attended.
A minute's silence was observed at 12:27pm, the exact time the bombs went off.
Colin Parry, father of Tim, told the crowd that "neither Tim nor Jonathan died in vain".
Mr Parry and his wife Wendy established a Foundation for Peace in the names of the two victims.
"It's crystal clear – a day in my life I will never ever forget," he said.
He said "Tim died in my arms" five days after the attack in the town centre, where he had gone to buy a Mother's Day card.
"I'm mostly all cried out... there are occasions when a piece of music catches you unawares."
Those responsible for the attack have never been brought to justice.
Former Det Supt Les Lee, who was in charge of the investigation, said "professionally, it was one of the saddest things in my life".
"The first thing I saw was the remains of a cast iron bin. There were broken windows," he said.
The place was silent – that's what struck me as I was walking up Bridge Street... it was just eerie.
"I looked to my left and in the doorway was the body of Johnathan".
He said "there was a lot of anger, a lot of disgust", but it was "amazing how the town responded".
"There's no doubt in my mind that the events of Warrington had a significant impact on what subsequently happened in Northern Ireland," he said.