Gardaí investigating as threat made against schools in Co Clare deemed 'not credible'

An email claimed the schools would be targeted in the 'most prolific attack in Irish history'

Gardaí investigating the threat made against schools in Co Clare. Press 22

Schools in Co Clare have reopened after gardaí said a security threat on Tuesday "is not credible and there is no ongoing risk to the public".

Gardaí had been investigating the "contents and credibility" of an email sent to schools in the county that claimed they would be targeted in the "most prolific attack in Irish history".

A number of schools received the message, in which the sender claimed they would be armed with multiple firearms and that items had been placed around every school included in the email list.

Gardaí had been "assessing the contents and credibility of that communication".

In an update on Tuesday, gardaí said: "Following initial assessment, An Garda Síochána is satisfied that the security threat is not credible and there is no ongoing risk to the public.

"Gardaí are engaging with the affected educational establishments with regard to this incident.

"Enquiries are ongoing. No further information is available at this time."

Parents 'very frantic and anxious'

Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan, who is based in Shannon, said the incident was very upsetting and stressful for students, parents and teachers in the region.

“I had a lot of parents on to me this morning, very frantic and anxious, in fear for what was going on," she said. 

“Some of the pupils weren’t in the schools at the time, fortunately.

“The schools were very, very reactive on this, and very promptly sent out messages to parents not to send children to school.” 

Ms McGettigan added that similar hoax incidents have occurred recently in New Jersey and Greece.

The original email sent to schools contained a date written in the US format of month, day, year.

A number of schools have since reopened after gardaí deemed there to be no threat, she added.

“Some of the secondary schools are doing induction days which are important days for sixth class students. Some reopened at 11, some opened at 12.

“As far as I am aware, I haven’t heard of any that have remained closed. I’d like to thank the schools and the local gardaí for being very reactive on this.”

The Irish Examiner has contacted the Department of Education for comment.