Several schools in Carlow shut after receiving threatening email

Sarah Slater

Gardaí in Carlow have moved to reassure parents and guardians of children after several primary schools have been targeted by threats concerning mass shootings.

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

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.

Superintendent Anthony Farrell confirmed that a number of primary schools in Co Carlow received a threatening email on Wednesday morning.

A Garda investigation team has been established in Carlow Garda Station.

Lines of communication have also been opened at a senior level with the Department of Education.

Supt Farrell explained: “A process is underway to establish the identity of [the] sender and credibility of message. There was no advance warning of this email."

He has asked all school management across the town and county to undertake a “cursory search of your building and grounds”.

He continued: “There is a possibility this email will be followed up by a ransomware attack - I ask that you do not click any links in any follow-up email. Advise Carlow Garda Station instead.

“Targeted patrols, including armed patrols” are being carried out.

Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, an all-girls primary school located on Green Lane in the town, contacted all parents and guardians who have pupils attending the school at 8.19am 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 [a] 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 either the 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”.

Schools and members of the public who have any suspicious activity are being advised to contact Carlow Garda Station on 059-9136620 or 999.