Cork primary schools inspected by gardaí after receiving threatening emails

'An Garda Síochána has advised that any school that has received this email should ring 999 and report the threat to An Garda Síochána and cooperate fully with any Garda instructions.'

Cork primary schools were among those targeted by a threatening email sent to schools across the country, with gardaí inspecting at least two schools in the Blackrock area of Cork city on Thursday morning.

Gardaí from Anglesea Street Garda station found no security breach and advised staff at the schools to continue working as normal.

Gardaí are assessing the contents and credibility of the “threatening” communication, which was sent on Wednesday as thousands of teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and other school staff took part in strike action.

The Department of Education confirmed that a number of schools across the country received the email.

Schools that received the message have been instructed to report the threat to An Garda Síochána.

A department spokesman said it was made aware that “a number of schools” had received the threatening email on October 14.

It had “consulted with An Garda Síochána regarding this matter”, the spokesman added.

“An Garda Síochána has advised that any school that has received this email should ring 999 and report the threat to An Garda Síochána and cooperate fully with any Garda instructions.

“The department communicated this advice to schools and boards of management, management bodies, and unions.” 

The department expects schools “can continue to operate as normal unless otherwise advised by An Garda Síochána”.

It will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any further advice as required, the spokesman added.

A spokesman for the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) said the union “is not in a position to comment”.

“In any such cases, we advise members to report any concerns to the Gardaí and follow their advice. Any further queries on this matter should be directed to An Garda Síochána,” the spokesman added.

• Jess Casey, Education Correspondent