Colin Parry whose son was killed by an IRA bomb says he's developed a 'positive relationship' Martin McGuinness

Colin Parry with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness Credit: PA

Colin Parry whose son was killed by an IRA bomb in Warrington has spoken of the positive relationship he has developed with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness - a former commander of the republican organisation.Colin Parry's child Tim was one of two boys killed in the attack in Warrington in 1993.

The 12-year-old schoolboy and three-year-old Johnathan Ball lost their lives when bombs planted in litter bins in the town's main shopping area exploded.

Mr Parry and his wife Wendy have become committed peace campaigners since the death of their son, setting up and operating a charitable reconciliation centre in Warrington - The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace.

Mr Parry, who stressed he will never forgive the IRA, and Mr McGuinness tonight shared their differing perspectives on the Northern Ireland peace process during an event for the west Belfast festival - the Feile an Phobail.

Colin and Wendy Parry Credit: PA

Mr Parry said he could not explain why he had developed closer links with republican politicians than unionists in his reconciliation work and said allegations sometimes levelled against him on social media that he was an "apologist" for the republican movement were upsetting.

He said he thought he and Mr McGuinness, Stormont's Deputy First Minister, shared the same goal.

During the event in St Mary's University College, Mr McGuinness recalled his own visits to Warrington, hailing the courage of the Parrys and others who welcomed him.

No one has been prosecuted for the Warrington outrage on March 20 1993, that also left 56 people injured. Johnathan was in the town with his babysitter to buy a card for Mother's Day, the next day, when he was killed. Tim, an Everton fan, had been shopping for football shorts when he caught the full force of the explosion. He died in his father's arms five days later in Liverpool's Walton Hospital. The death of the two boys sparked a public outcry in the UK and on both sides of the border in Ireland.