'No need to evacuate' after threats sent to schools

Updated / Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 12:45

There is no need for schools to evacuate after emails containing threats were assessed by gardaí as not being credible, the Minister for Education has said.

In a statement, gardaí said they are aware of a generic communication that was sent to a number of educational establishments this morning.

Minister Hildegarde Naughton said she has spoken with Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and added that officials are in contact with gardaí about the matter.

She said gardaí have advised schools that they have assessed "this threat as not credible and there is no need for schools to evacuate".

She said that if a school received this email, they should contact emergency services and follow the advice of gardaí.

The minister said gardaí received "a large volume of phone calls" this morning.

In Northern Ireland, the PSNI said 300 schools reported receiving an email containing a threat.

It said they were treating it as a hoax.

Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said police take incidents of this nature very seriously and we understand the concern of school communities.

"Our enquiries are ongoing, however, at this stage we consider risk to the public as low. We will continue to liaise with schools impacted and have been working closely with the Department of Education and the Education Authority this morning to provide reassurance," he said.

A primary school in Belfast posted a message it received from Northern Ireland's Education Authority.

"We are aware that another threatening email message has today been sent to a large number of schools in NI.

"The message has similarities with a bogus threat sent last month, which was declared a hoax by PSNI.

"EA is liaising with police on this latest message.

"At this stage, we have not been made aware of any evidence of any credible threat to schools. Investigations are continuing.

"It is for PSNI to determine the credibility or otherwise of any such message.

"As always, schools are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to PSNI.

"We fully appreciate that any message of this nature is distressing and can assure schools that we will provide a further update following engagement with police."

Yesterday, Garda Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary provided guidance on response to recent increased activity in hoax and non-credible bomb threats.

"If you receive a bomb threat by email, letter or any other message, contact An Garda Síochána immediately by calling 999.

"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," he said.

Similar emails were received by some schools in Scotland, with Police Scotland saying that while "distressing" there was "nothing to suggest that they represent a credible threat".

It is understood that a number of media organisations in Ireland and the UK received a similar threat earlier.