- Mobile site
- E-Newsletters
-
- News feed
- Find us on Twitter
@warringtonnews
All the latest news and views from the Warrington Guardian
@WGWeekend
All the latest leisure news from Warrington Guardian Weekend
- Find us on Facebook
Warrington Guardian
Like us on Facebook
Mystery sign appears next to memorial plaque (From Warrington Guardian)
Text us your news! Start your message Warrington News and send any photos or videos to 80360
Mystery sign appears on Bridge Street next to River of Life memorial plaque
2:35pm Wednesday 1st August 2012 in News By Hannah Bargery
Mystery sign appears next to memorial plaque
A LAMINATED notice appeared next to the recently restored River of Life memorial plaque on Wednesday morning criticising the people who had taken it.
The plaque on Bridge Street, which remembers victims of the IRA bombings in 1993, was stolen earlier this year but was eventually recovered and returned.
The blue sign was addressed ‘to the scum who stole the plaque from this place’.
It read: “I find solace knowing you never must have had a family who lived with honour and grace.
“And when you pass there will be no tributes, no respects paid and you will not be remembered for you are not of humankind, you are nothing.”
One witness said it ‘summed up’ how people in the town felt about the theft.
The commemorative plaque, a tribute to bomb victims Johnathan Ball and Tim Parry, was recovered in June after an appeal in the Warrington Guardian.
It has now been returned to its home in the town centre.
Clr Terry O’Neill, leader of Warrington Borough council, said: “The River of Life is such an important part of our heritage and we are delighted that the plaque has been returned to us.
“Warrington was shocked when this happened and we believe that the Restorative Justice Conference and the plaque being retuned to Bridge Street is the best outcome for everyone involved.”
Two men who stole the plaque have apologised for the theft to the family of Tim Parry.
A 29-year-old Newton-le-Willows man admitted removing it after drinking in the town centre before dropping it. It was then picked up by a 57-year-old Penketh resident who kept it at his home
address.
Clr Mike Hannon, deputy leader, said: “CCTV played a critical role in identifying the two men responsible and a heartfelt thank-you goes to those staff who spent a considerable amount of time
studying hours of footage.
“We received an overwhelming number of offers of support and donations from individuals and businesses and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their generosity and
kindness.”
Chf Supt Richard Strachan said: “It is really pleasing to see the River of Life plaque back on Bridge Street.
“Those responsible for taking the plaque have been held to account for their actions and are now engaged in work to compensate the community.”
Comments(10)
moleogod
says...
6:35pm Wed 1 Aug 12
moleogod
says...
6:36pm Wed 1 Aug 12
old-codger
says...
12:57pm Thu 2 Aug 12
Nick Tessla
says...
2:04pm Thu 2 Aug 12
old-codger wrote:I agree that the perpetrators got off too lightly, however I would not accuse someone of being a troll just because they disagreed with me.
A lot of bad feelings about this theft are felt by the townhip, The fact that the culprits have not been dealt with in a proper manner in a court of law has not helped. Irrespective of what the trolls come on here and say.
notatcreamfields
says...
5:20pm Thu 2 Aug 12
MikeJT
says...
6:53pm Thu 2 Aug 12
notatcreamfields
says...
10:22pm Thu 2 Aug 12
MikeJT wrote:Like i said restorative justice in this case is better than a slap on the wrist or a few hours of community service. If you're sick enough to troll this story to try to get a reaction i really do pity you......
Would just like to point out a couple of incorrect facts in your posting "notat". Firstly both parents of Jonathon Ball have past away so the victims never came face-to-face with the parents of the two victim. Also, if the reports/comments at the time of the original "announcement" are correct, the remainder of Jonathon's family were never consulted about the form of punishment. Irrespective of the thoughts of the population of Warrington who were affected either directly or indirectly of the events of 1993, it seems that justice for at least one of the victims has NOT been served.
Cleopatra
says...
11:10pm Thu 2 Aug 12
notatcreamfields wrote:It seems a common practice here to call some who disagrees with your point of view a troll. In this instance it was totally uncalled for. Calling someone a troll and sick are the reserve replies from people who are unable to produce a more intelligent response.
MikeJT wrote: Would just like to point out a couple of incorrect facts in your posting "notat". Firstly both parents of Jonathon Ball have past away so the victims never came face-to-face with the parents of the two victim. Also, if the reports/comments at the time of the original "announcement" are correct, the remainder of Jonathon's family were never consulted about the form of punishment. Irrespective of the thoughts of the population of Warrington who were affected either directly or indirectly of the events of 1993, it seems that justice for at least one of the victims has NOT been served.Like i said restorative justice in this case is better than a slap on the wrist or a few hours of community service. If you're sick enough to troll this story to try to get a reaction i really do pity you......
What Mike JT wrote is totally correct so why someone would call him sick is beyond my comprehension.
Nick Tessla
says...
8:21am Fri 3 Aug 12
Cleopatra wrote:Quite right Cleo - if anyone needs reminding what intolernace of other people, and their views can lead to I suggest they remember this memorial.
notatcreamfields wrote:It seems a common practice here to call some who disagrees with your point of view a troll. In this instance it was totally uncalled for. Calling someone a troll and sick are the reserve replies from people who are unable to produce a more intelligent response. What Mike JT wrote is totally correct so why someone would call him sick is beyond my comprehension.MikeJT wrote: Would just like to point out a couple of incorrect facts in your posting "notat". Firstly both parents of Jonathon Ball have past away so the victims never came face-to-face with the parents of the two victim. Also, if the reports/comments at the time of the original "announcement" are correct, the remainder of Jonathon's family were never consulted about the form of punishment. Irrespective of the thoughts of the population of Warrington who were affected either directly or indirectly of the events of 1993, it seems that justice for at least one of the victims has NOT been served.Like i said restorative justice in this case is better than a slap on the wrist or a few hours of community service. If you're sick enough to troll this story to try to get a reaction i really do pity you......
Freeborn John says...
5:11pm Wed 1 Aug 12
Looking at the article though, I'm surprised at the poor state of the plaque, surely a lick of paint was in order before it was replaced.