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| Tributes to IRA bombing victims | Tributes to IRA bombing victims |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A memorial event is being held to remember those who were killed and injured in the IRA bombing of Warrington town centre 15 years ago. | A memorial event is being held to remember those who were killed and injured in the IRA bombing of Warrington town centre 15 years ago. |
| Tim Parry, 12, and Johnathan Ball, three, died and 56 people were hurt in the explosions on 20 March 1993. | Tim Parry, 12, and Johnathan Ball, three, died and 56 people were hurt in the explosions on 20 March 1993. |
| Town leaders, representatives of local organisations and the community will pay tribute to the victims. | Town leaders, representatives of local organisations and the community will pay tribute to the victims. |
| Flowers are being laid at the site, in what has been called a celebration of peace by Warrington Borough Council. | Flowers are being laid at the site, in what has been called a celebration of peace by Warrington Borough Council. |
| When the bombs went off in Bridge Street, the area was packed with shoppers, many looking for Mother's Day gifts. | When the bombs went off in Bridge Street, the area was packed with shoppers, many looking for Mother's Day gifts. |
| Johnathan had been in the town with his babysitter to buy a card for his mother. | Johnathan had been in the town with his babysitter to buy a card for his mother. |
| Quite why they chose this town was beyond comprehension - I didn't know then and I still don't know now Colin Parry | |
| Tim, an avid Everton fan, had been shopping for football shorts when he caught the full force of the blast. He died in hospital five days later. | Tim, an avid Everton fan, had been shopping for football shorts when he caught the full force of the blast. He died in hospital five days later. |
| In the aftermath of the bombing, the 12-year-old's father Colin set up a charity, the Foundation for Peace, which runs educational programs. | In the aftermath of the bombing, the 12-year-old's father Colin set up a charity, the Foundation for Peace, which runs educational programs. |
| Known locally as the Peace Centre, it has also acted as a support service for people bereaved, injured or traumatized in trouble directly linked to Northern Ireland. | Known locally as the Peace Centre, it has also acted as a support service for people bereaved, injured or traumatized in trouble directly linked to Northern Ireland. |
| Mr Parry said: "There was absolutely no reason why a town such as Warrington should be hit by the IRA. | |
| "Quite why they chose this town was beyond comprehension. I didn't know then and I still don't know now." | |
| Despite being forced to deal with the tragedy of losing his son, Mr Parry said the bombing had a "significant" impact on the peace process in Northern Ireland. | |
| Colin Parry (right) has campaigned for conflict resolution | |
| "I think it was that event in Warrington that compelled the Irish government to sit down with the English government in a way they had never considered before," said Mr Parry. | |
| "That's when change began to happen and all of that, in my opinion, was changed by Tim's and Johnathan's deaths." | |
| Rev Steven Kingsnorth, of the Warrington Borough Ministry, said the town had worked hard to turn the tragedy into something positive. | Rev Steven Kingsnorth, of the Warrington Borough Ministry, said the town had worked hard to turn the tragedy into something positive. |
| "We made a mark in saying we will not let death and evil have the last word and I think that legacy remains," said Mr Kingsnorth. | "We made a mark in saying we will not let death and evil have the last word and I think that legacy remains," said Mr Kingsnorth. |
| "There are still people in the community who look back sadly at the day but still remember the good things that came out of it." | "There are still people in the community who look back sadly at the day but still remember the good things that came out of it." |
| The service on Thursday is being seen as a chance to reflect and give thanks to those in Warrington involved in helping to rebuild the town. | The service on Thursday is being seen as a chance to reflect and give thanks to those in Warrington involved in helping to rebuild the town. |
| Council leader Ian Marks said: "Warrington is united in its thoughts and prayers as we reflect on the events of 15 years ago and pay tribute to those who lost their lives and were deeply affected." | Council leader Ian Marks said: "Warrington is united in its thoughts and prayers as we reflect on the events of 15 years ago and pay tribute to those who lost their lives and were deeply affected." |