NO-HEADLINE

A former soldier yesterday pleaded guilty to bombing an Army barracks 22 years ago. Peter McMullen, 49, admitted planting four bombs which devastated the Claro Barracks in Ripon, North Yorkshire, in March, 1974. More than 100 soldiers escaped injury in the blast.

Armed police surrounded York Crown Court as McMullen, from Co Antrim, Ulster, arrived leaning heavily on a stick. He spoke only to confirm his name and to plead guilty to four charges under the Explosives Act. A former Parachute Regiment cook, he was extradited from the US in March. He had fought extradition since 1978.