Schools across Carlow close after threatening emails warn of mass shooting

A Carlow primary school has closed after receiving a threatening email, with Gardaí investigating similar reports across the county. Picture: PA

Multiple schools across Carlow town and county received threatening emails claiming there would be a mass shooting involving staff and children.

At least 10 primary schools in Carlow town and Tullow were advised by gardaí not to open on Wednesday following the threats.

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

Several other schools across the county also received similar emails. Some remained closed, while others opened as normal.

Superintendent Anthony Farrell confirmed that a number of primary schools received threatening emails on Wednesday morning.

A Garda investigation team has been established at Carlow Garda Station. Senior Gardaí are also in contact with the Department of Education.

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

He asked school management teams across the county to undertake a “cursory search of their 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,” he added.

Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, an all-girls primary school on Green Lane in Carlow town, contacted parents and guardians at 8.19am to inform them the school would not open.

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

The email added: “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 have been advised to follow updates directly from their child’s school and avoid sharing unverified information.

Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, the Church of Ireland Primary School, St Laserian’s Special School, Scoil Mhuire Lourdes in Tullow, St Fiacc’s NS, Ballyconnell NS, Rathvilly Primary School, Scoil Molaise in Old Leighlin, Askea NS, Rathmore NS, Drumphea NS, and St Columba’s were among the schools that decided to close.

Students were either told not to attend or were due to be sent home by 11am. The correspondence received on Wednesday morning came 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 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,” said Cllr Browne.

He said he decided to keep St Joseph’s National 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 over react. Garda advice is sacrosanct,” he told KCLR FM.

The principal added that, once the current scare subsides, school safety measures should be reviewed again in future.

No secondary schools are known to have received either of 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”.

Gardaí 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”.