Sir, – On March 20th, 1993 the IRA put a bomb in a shopping area in Warrington, in England. Placed in a litter bin of a busy street on Mother’s Day, the bomb would inevitably cause death and injury – in this case two children were murdered, Johnathan Ball (aged three) and Tim Parry (aged 12). Fifty-four people were hurt, some acutely. Although the IRA admitted having done it, the culprits of the crime have never been convicted and the criminal case file stays open. There was widespread outrage in Britain and Ireland afterwards, with a perception among many over here that the atrocity disgraced the Irish nation in general.
Johnathan Ball’s parents, a middle-aged couple, never recovered from their traumatic bereavement and have, since, died. Tim Parry’s parents, Colin and Wendy, have campaigned tirelessly ever since to promote peaceful conflict resolution.
On Saturday, March 16th, Warrington Town Council and The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace will stage a public event of remembrance, marking the 20th anniversary of this deliberate, cowardly attack upon a community which stoically endures its aftermath to this day. Long may the Warrington Bomb testify to the wilful evil of those with delusions of representing the Irish nation through violence – their victims will never be forgotten and may the two children rest in peace. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTIAN MORRIS,
Claremont Road,
Howth,
Dublin 13.