THE father of Warrington bomb victim Tim Parry yesterday paid tribute to his son on what would have been his 41st birthday.
Peace campaigner Colin Parry said his son's death 18 months before the first IRA ceasefire helped bring 25 years of violent conflict to an end.
The 12-year-old was killed alongside Johnathan Ball (3) when two bombs hidden inside litter bins exploded on March 20 1993.
More than 50 others were injured in the Bridge Street attack, which was later claimed by the Provisional IRA.
The two children's deaths sparked widespread outrage and prompted peace rallies in Ireland and Britain.
Mr Parry established the Tim Parry-Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation, a charity promoting "peace and non-violent conflict resolution" in memory of the boys.
He has repeatedly said he would never forgive the IRA, but he did meet leading members of Sinn Féin during his efforts to promote peace.
This included inviting the late Martin McGuinness to deliver a peace lecture marking the 20th anniversary of the bombing.
Yesterday he tweeted: "Today my 12 yr son Tim is 41.
"His life was ended by an IRA bomb, but it helped bring peace to GB, NI & ROI through @peacefoundation (Peace Foundation).
"Wendy and I wanted to make Tim's life have meaning and I think we’ve done so. RIP Tim. Your light shines bright x."
