McGuinness says sorry but Parry will not forgive IRA

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WHILE former IRA chief Martin McGuinness apologised for the Warrington bombing which claimed the lives of two innocent boys, peace campaigner Colin Parry says he has not forgiven those responsible for atrocity 20 years ago which claimed the life of his son.
But Mr Parry, whose 12-year-son Tim was killed in the bomb attack alongside three-year-old Johnathan Ball, was unrepentant about his decision to invite the former IRA commander to deliver the annual Peace Lecture inside the living memorial to the two boys.
“We absolutely need to do it if we’re leading a peace foundation proclaiming talking not fighting,” he said. “Those protesting should accept the founding principles of this foundation that we work in areas of peace and reconciliation.
“This is the path we have chosen and those who are protesting have to respect that.”
Meanwhile Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister said his heart went out to a small group of protesters who gathered outside the peace centre in memory of those who died in the Birmingham pub bombings carried out by the IRA in 1974.
Mr McGuinness, who openly talked about his previous membership of the IRA, said he “understood” the objections and empathised with those who could not make the “journey” he had to peace.
“My heart goes out to them because they too are people that have suffered as a result of the conflict in the north of Ireland,” he said.
He also confirmed it was members of the IRA who were responsible for the bomb attack on Warrington, despite recent reports suggesting it was a breakaway left wing English group.
“The IRA acknowledged publicly they were responsible and there is no evidence to suggest otherwise,” he said.
Mr Parry invited Mr McGuinness to give the lecture when they met in Belfast earlier this year. He previously visited the centre in 2001, when he said the bombing was wrong.
Prior to giving his lecture Mr McGuinness said it was “absolutely shameful” that the boys had lost their lives.
“We need to be sorry for everything that happened – all of us who were involved in the conflict, not just Irish Republicans,” he said.
“It is important to come here and face up to the issues as peace and reconciliation and learning lessons from the past will help build a better future.”
He believed the peace process in Northern Ireland was “the best in the world” and described Colin and Wendy Parry as “remarkable people” who had played a central role in the peace process.
“I was once in the IRA and now I am a peace builder – I don’t expect people to take my word but judge me by my actions.
“The challenge is to get all political parties to move forward in the years ahead.
“I am bursting with admiration for the work done by Colin and Wendy and everyone involved in the peace centre.
“Their courage has been incredible. Colin has got it right – dialogue is the way forward and places like the Warrington Peace Centre are the way forward.
“I don’t expect people to forgive me for being in the IRA and I realise there are those people who can’t forgive. I make no judgement on them as everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”
Following the lecture Mr McGuinness took part in a Q&A session with the audience which was compared by former BBC Northern Ireland correspondent Dennis Murray.
*No-one has been arrested or charged over the bomb attack on March 20 1993 when two bombs hidden in litter bins exploded in Bridge Street, killing the two boys and injuring 54 others.

Pictures show the protestors outside the peace centre and Colin and Wendy Parry with Martin McGuinness.


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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  1. Congratulations to Colin and Wendy on their outstanding work – the only way to secure peace around the world is to bring the terrorists to the negotiation table.

    McGuinness has certainly changed his spots from 20 years ago and comes across as a plausible human being.

    May be he could help by using his networks to bring those responsible to justice?

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