Twenty schools in Co Carlow receive threatening email

By Cillian Sherlock and Rebecca Black, Press Association

Twenty primary schools in Co Carlow received a threatening email on Wednesday, prompting some to close.

The email was sent just after 7am and prompted gardaí to begin an investigation into its credibility and contact all affected schools.

An Garda Síochána said there would be patrols around all 42 schools in the county, adding that the message appears to have been “routed through another country”.

They said: “While some schools have made the decision to close, reopening is a matter for each school board of management.

“An Garda Siochana will continue to support schools and provide guidance.

“The threatening email is believed to have been routed through another country and the credibility of the message is still being investigated.”

The statement added: “There was no advance warning.

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

“High visibility patrols have been in place throughout the day and indeed for coming days in the environs of all 42 primary schools in Co Carlow.”