Several schools in Carlow shut after receiving threatening email

Sarah Slater

Multiple schools across Carlow town and county have received a threatening email that there will be a mass shooting involving staff and children.

At least 10 known primary schools in Carlow town and Tullow have been advised to not open by gardaí today, Wednesday, due to a threatening email.

It is understood that up to 16 primary schools have been targeted by two separate emails.

Several other schools around the county, it is understood, have also received similar emails. Some stayed closed while others have opened.

Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, an all-girls primary school located on Green Lane in the town, contacted all parents and guardians at 8.19am who have pupils attending the school to alert them that the premises would not be opening.

The message said that “we like some schools in the area, have received a threatening email this morning”.

The email contained: “In the interests of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our school community, Scoil Mhuire gan Smál will remain closed today.

“The safety of our pupils and staff is always our absolute priority. We are working closely with the appropriate agencies and will keep you informed of any further updates as information becomes available.”

Parents and guardians are being advised to follow updates directly from their own school and avoid sharing unverified information.

Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, the Church of Ireland Primary School, St Laserians Special School, Scoil Mhuire Lourdes in Tullow, along with St Fiacc's NS, Ballyconnell NS, Rathvilly Primary School, Scoil Molaise in Old Leighlin, Askea NS, Rathmore NS, Drumphea School, and St Columba's decided to close.

Students were either told not to come in or they would be sent home by 11am as the schools will close.

The correspondence on Wednesday morning is from an “unidentified” source.

Local Fine Gael councillor and Principal of St Joseph’s National School Fergal Browne said the email came from an unknown Gmail account and confirmed that all schools were liaising with gardaí.

“There is an increased garda presence around the town. A generic email came around. God knows where it came from. The email detailed that there would be mass shooting in the schools,” Browne said.

He explained that he decided to keep St Joseph’s school open after speaking with gardaí.

“We want to reassure all parents and guardians. These things happen, unfortunately. It’s very upsetting for school staff and parents. We are being extra vigilant today and liaising with gardaí at all times.

“Unfortunately these things do happen. It’s an outrageous thing to happen. All schools have tightened up on this in recent years. We have to be vigilant but not under or overreact. Garda advice is sacrosanct,” he told KCLRFM.

The principal added that once this scare settles down, the safety in schools has to be looked at again.

No known secondary schools have received the two emails.

In a statement, gardaí said they are “aware” of a “communication that has been sent to a number of educational establishments in Co Carlow today”.

Garda added that they are “currently assessing the contents and credibility of that communication.

“Senior Garda leadership have opened communication with the affected educational establishments. No further information is available at this time”.