A FORMER soldier from Antrim Las pleaded guilty to bombing a British army barracks 22 years ago. Peter McMullan (49), admitted planting four bombs in Claro Barracks in Ripon, North Yorkshire, in March, 1974.
The headquarters of the Royal Engineers had soldiers serving in Northern Ireland at the time.
More than 100 soldiers escaped injury in the blast. The manageress of the NAAFI shop was slightly injured. No one claimed responsibility for the attack.
Armed police surrounded York Crown Court yesterday as McMullan arrived. He leaned heavily on a stick as he entered court, spoke only to confirm his name and to plead guilty to four charges under the Explosives Act. The judge adjourned the case until October 30th awaiting documents from the US.
McMullan, a former Parachute Regiment cook, was extradited from the US in March this year. He had lived there for more than 20 years and had fought extradition since 1978. He finally flew back from New York escorted by two officers from North Yorkshire Police.