THE father of a schoolboy murdered by the IRA has slammed plans that could see the families of paramilitary killers receive the same compensation as their victims.

Colin Parry, whose 12-year-old son Tim died in the 1993 bomb blast, on Bridge Street, says he is disgusted by the proposal contained in a Government report on how to deal with the legacy of the war in Northern Ireland.

The report suggests £12,000 should be paid for each person killed in the conflict – even if they were murderers themselves.

Mr Parry said: “The idea that somebody who sets out to kill is a victim as much as I am – using my example – I think for many people is offensive.”

The Consultative Group on the Past, set up by Tony Blair in his last days as prime minister, is behind the plans.

The scheme would initially cost £40m, with a further £160m put aside to investigate killings and an extra £100m fund created to finance projects aimed at clearing up controversies from past decades.

Northern Ireland first minister Peter Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, believes it is wrong to compare dead terrorists with innocent victims.

He said: “Terrorists died carrying out their evil and wicked deeds while innocent men, women and children were wiped out by merciless gangsters.”

Alex Attwood, from the Nationalist SDLP, said people should wait for the full report before they pass judgement.

Johnathan Ball, aged three, was also killed when two IRA bombs exploded in Bridge Steet on March 20, 1993. Another 56 people were injured.

Based at the Peace Centre in Great Sankey, The Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace was formed in 1995 and helps youngsters come to terms with conflicts at home and around the world.