IRA admits double bomb attack

The IRA admitted responsibility for this week's double bomb attack in Wilmslow, Cheshire. The claim was made yesterday in a telephone message to the Dublin newsroom of RTE, the Irish Republic's broadcasting network. The caller read out a brief statement, declaring only that "Oglaigh na hEireann [the IRA] carried out the bombings in Wilmslow, Cheshire, England, on Wednesday, March 26".

The bombs went off on a rail track near Wilmslow rail station. No one was hurt but extensive damage was done. Police, working with New Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch, mounted a joint operation with South Yorkshire colleagues after a simultaneous security scare at Doncaster.The attacks sparked fears of a pre-election terrorist offensive. Matthew Brace