18/05/2012

Memorial Plaque To Children Killed By IRA Stolen

A metal plaque commemorating the deaths of two young boys, killed in an IRA bomb attack, has been stolen.

Tim Parry who was 12 and Johnathan Ball, aged three, died in 1993 when two bombs detonated in the town centre injuring 54 people.

The plaque is thought to have a scrap metal value of no more than £30.

Tim Parry's father Colin said the theft was "soulless, heartless and just very offensive".

"My reaction is one of incredulity that somebody would be so heartless and without any conscience, and just calmly walk along and take something that has minimal [cash] value but huge emotional value," he said.

Police said the plaque was stolen sometime between 20 April and 5 May.

PC Graham Davies, of Cheshire Police, said the plaque and memorial were of "great significance to the town".

He said: "We would appeal to anyone who has any information in relation to the theft to come forward."

He said it was "upsetting" for people in the town to discover the plaque had been stolen.

"We would urge anyone who knows the identity of the thief - or the whereabouts of the plaque - to contact us immediately.

"We would also appeal to anyone who may have been offered the plaque for sale to get in touch," he said.

(H)


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