THE father of Tim Parry, who was killed 30 years ago in Warrington, has said the IRA 'must have known' that children would be killed in a bombing of the town.

Colin Parry spoke on BBC Breakfast today, March 20, which marks 30 years since his son, Tim, and three-year-old Johnathan Ball were killed in the IRA's Warrington bombing.

Two devices were detonated on Bridge Street, which killed Tim Parry - aged 12 - and Johnathan Ball - aged three - and injured 56 people on the day.

IT was a day Warrington residents will never forget. 

Colin Parry appeared on BBC Breakfast, discussing the atrocity, and why Warrington might have been picked as a target by the IRA.

Colin said: "Why Warrington? And why a shopping street? And why the day before Mother's Day?

"All these strange questions, which lead me to the view that I think it was a cynical, deliberate choice by the IRA to hit a soft target."

In the years since the bombing, Colin Parry - and his wie, Wendy - has organised the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation, which runs from the Peace Centre in Great Sankey.

Warrington Guardian: Colin and Wendy Parry met with then-Prime Minister Tony Blair during the Northern Ireland peace processColin and Wendy Parry met with then-Prime Minister Tony Blair during the Northern Ireland peace process (Image: Newsquest)

Colin added: "They must have known that there would be children likely to be injured, or possibly killed through those two bombs.

"I mean, they had to know. These were bombs set very close to shops - it wasn't in a field somewhere, so - cynically - they did what they did.

"And they've never been caught, we'll never know who they are, not that it matters anymore."

Colin concluded: "It matters more to me about the positive things that have come along, and that we carry on doing - for as long as we can do them."

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