'A very frightening time': Carlow schools begin to reopen after threatening emails

Sarah Slater

The majority of the 20 primary schools affected by threatening emails on Wednesday morning in Carlow town and county have opened.

High-visibility garda patrols are continuing over the next several days in the areas surrounding all 42 primary schools.

The threatening email arrived in computer systems around 7am and, as a result, 10 schools decided to close.

Details of the mail included a threat of mass shootings along with a photograph of three guns. It is understood that the photograph is a stock image.

Garda are following a number of lines of inquiry, one being that the email was sent by a group which specifically targets institutions and organisations to get a large-scale policing response.

The email, gardaí added, was routed through another country with the credibility of the message still being investigated.

Mayor of Carlow Paul Doogue has said that it is a “really frightening” time for all of those impacted by the email threat.

“I really hope that whoever did this is caught and the full weight of the law is enforced. Carlow schools to the best of my knowledge are open today but some parents may not send their children as they are still a little bit worried and upset and I can understand that - it’s a very frightening time for the children, parents and teachers.

“I want to compliment the gardaí and all involved who are trying to trace down this person or persons from whatever country they are in. I really hope they are caught and the full weight of the law enforced.”

Garda Superintendent Anthony Farrell said high visability garda patrols around all schools began on Wednesday ad will “continue” following the threat. There was no advance warning to the email.

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