Bomb threat to schools 'not credible' say gardaí

Schools in the county that received a bomb hoax email today do not need to evacuate, they are being advised. 

Numerous schools around the county and country received the threatening email this morning.

The Department of Education and Youth has issued guidance to all schools, advising that following a review by An Garda Síochána, there is no need for schools to evacuate as these are generic email threats.

Schools that received the email are being asked to contact gardaí and follow their advice.

An Garda Síochána said it is aware of a generic communication that has been sent to a number of educational establishments today.

This threat is “not credible" and gardaí are not advising any educational establishment to evacuate. Gardaí are engaging with a number of educational establishments on the matter.

Yesterday, the Deputy Garda Commissioner Paul Cleary said there has been increased activity in hoax and non-credible bomb threats recently.

“If you receive a bomb threat by email, letter or any other message, contact An Garda Síochána immediately by calling 999. Provide as much detail as possible about the threat and the communication you have received," he said.

“Once notified, our Garda Regional Control Centre will assess the credibility of the threat.

“Following that assessment, the Control Centre and/or the Gardaí responding will advise you on the most appropriate course of action. We will do this as quickly as possible.

“It is important to understand that a bomb threat does not automatically mean that a building needs to be evacuated, but attending Gardai will assist with this decision “In many cases, following an assessment, the appropriate response may be to provide advice or carry out a cursory search of the premises.

“Of course, businesses and premises managers retain the ability to make their own decision to evacuate. However, An Garda Síochána will provide professional advice based on our assessment of the information available.

“Our priority is, and always will be, the safety of the public.

You can be assured that every such report is taken seriously and that An Garda Síochána is committed to providing a professional, proportionate and timely response.”

A statement from the Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton said the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and school communities remained our highest priority.

"An Garda Síochána has received a large volume of phone calls and will liaise with each school in turn, noting that with the volume of calls this may take some time," she added.