TWO former Warrington MPs have come to the defence of peace campaigner Colin Parry who has been criticised for inviting former IRA leader Martin McGuinness to give the annual Warrington peace lecture.
Mike Hall, the former Warrington South MP, and Doug Hoyle, the former Warrington North MP and now Lord Hoyle, were both in the town centre on March 20, 1993 when the IRA detonated two bombs in 
Bridge Street, killing 12-year-old Tim Parry and three-year-old Johnathan Ball.
They were attending a meeting at the Parr Hall and saw at first hand the devastation the bomb caused.
In addition to the death of the two boys, who were shopping for Mother’s Day presents, the explosions also injured 53 other people and led to the death of Bronwyn Vickers.
Although they accept Mr Parry made a “brave and controversial” decision, they believe he was right to invite the Northern Ireland deputy First Minister to Warrington.
The two ex-MPs, in a joint statement, say: “At the time of the two Warrington bombings we were unaware 
that Martin McGuinness, on behalf of the IRA, was in secret negotiations with the British Government to call a ceasefire, end the Northern Ireland conflict and start peace talks.
“Before the Bridge Street bombing we did not know Colin and Wendy Parry or Wilf Ball and Marie Comerford. But from that moment we worked closely with both families and to this day we remain good friends and strong supporters of Colin and Wendy.
“So should Colin have invited McGuinness to give this 20th anniversary peace lecture?
“The five cardinal issues involved here are peace, reconciliation, justice, contrition, and forgiveness but these are not mutually inclusive
Historically wherever armed conflict has existed it has either been resolved by the bloody subjugation of one side of the argument or by a negotiated cease to hostilities followed by peace and reconciliation.
“There are many examples throughout the history of the world but none as powerful as the creation of a democratic South Africa. If Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC) had refused to talk to President FW de Klerk and the governing National Party we would still have apartheid, racial segregation and violent unrest in South Africa.
“There is no doubt in our minds that McGuinness as head of the IRA leadership at the time of the Warrington bombings shares the responsibility for the murders of Jonathan and Tim and the death of Bronwyn.
“Likewise there is no doubt McGuinness as an IRA leader played a paramount part and shares responsibility for bringing to an end the Northern Ireland conflict and the creation of an enduring peace.
“John Major and Tony Blair were right to negotiate with McGuinness because the prospect of achieving a lasting peace in Northern Ireland would save the future lives of countless British citizens and mean bloody tragedies like the Bridge Street bombing and its needless loss of innocent lives would be a thing of the past.
“Colin was right to invite McGuinness to give the Warrington Peace lecture. It gave McGuinness the opportunity to come to our town and explain his part in the whole issue as a leader of the IRA and his reasons for giving up the bullet and the bomb to become a dedicated peacemaker. The event was an important milestone along the route of peace and reconciliation.
Of the five cardinal issues peace and reconciliation have been achieved. Justice, in the form of capturing the Bridge Street bombers and bringing them to trial, remains to be done. Contrition is a personal issue which McGuinness has yet to offer. Likewise forgiveness is personal. Colin and Wendy have not forgiven those responsible for the untimely death of their son Tim.
Twenty years on we are proud to look back at the tireless work Colin and Wendy have put into peace and reconciliation and their continuing efforts to build a lasting legacy in the names of Tim and Jonathan.
“Inviting Martin McGuinness to Warrington in 2013 cements another pillar of support into the Northern Ireland peace process. We wish Colin and Wendy every success in the years to come and that they continue to be a force for good in the wider world.”
Pictured: Colin Parry and Martin McGuinness at the Peace Lecture, Mike Hall (top right ) and Lord Doug Hoyle.
6 Comments
What a sensible approach to this issue. Most of us could not begin to imagine the pain the parents of these 2 young lads went through, but there was no screaming hysterics, just a great display of dignity.
Nothing more to be said .
Surely Jaw Jaw beats War War every time and in all walks of life?
I’m very proud of my mum and dad , and everyone else to do with the charity. The dignity of my parents is surely something that should be seen in a good light surely ???
Meeting people such as Martin Mcguiness is not taken lightly, and shows courage . I personally found it difficult being in the same room as him. But it’s all been done in a positive way , and the peace centre is there for the good of peace and future relationships. May the hard work of the charity and everyone involved carry on for many years to come .
Couldn’t have put it any better Dom – well said – I am proud and honored to be a Patron of the Foundation.
Gary , your definitely one of the people I was aiming at in that previous comment , well done to yourself also for your continued support as well as Warrington worldwide etc . Thanks Gary from all of us .