Schools SHUT for ‘safety sweep’ or open late as Gardai probe ‘credibility’ of bomb threat email sent to over 150 schools

OVER 150 schools across Ireland received a bomb threat yesterday, sparking a major garda probe into the incident.

Gardai are investigating the email threat received by several schools across the country, including those in Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Cork and Donegal.

Officials attended several schools yesterday to carry out checks following the email threat.

The sinister message was received on the same day thousands of teachers across Ireland were on strike as part of public sector pay dispute.

A number of schools have announced precautionary closures or delayed opening times today, following the safety incident yesterday.

St Fiacc’s National School, Graiguecullen in Co Laois will remain closed today to allow a “safety sweep of the building” after yesterday’s incident.

However, the school expects to reopen on Friday.

Scoil Mhuire Gan Small in Co Carlow has delayed its opening until 10am this morning due to safety checks.

However, it is understood that the majority of schools who received the email threat are operating as normal today.

The Department of Education confirmed they are consulting with gardai on the matter and advised schools who had received the threatening email to call 999.

In a statement to The Irish Sun, a spokesperson for the department said: “The Department of Education and Youth was made aware today, Wednesday 14 October, that a number of schools received a threatening email.

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

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

They added: “On this basis, the department anticipates that Boards of Management will have regard to the advice from An Garda Siochana, and schools can continue to operate as normal unless otherwise advised by An Garda Siochana.

“The department will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any further advice as required.”

Gardai also confirmed to The Irish Sun that they are “aware of communication” that was sent to a number of schools on Wednesday.

The force confirmed they are assessing the “contents and credibility” of the emails, adding that gardai also engaging with the schools involved.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the force added: “An Garda Siochana is aware of a communication that has been sent to a number of educational establishments on Wednesday 14th October 2026.

“Gardai are currently assessing the contents and credibility of that communication.

“Gardai are engaging with a number of educational establishments. No further information is available at this time.”