Principals are calling for urgent security guidance for schools after hoax bomb threats landed in the inboxes of hundreds of schools this morning.
A number of schools were evacuated as a precaution, with a union official saying there was "absolute chaos".
https://t.co/fQwzK0041g
Italy: Better be safe than sorry, we'll evacuate over 300 schools receiving the threat.
Ireland: Ah sure, you're grand, kids! Unless you're RTE, you lads better evacuate just to be on the safe side.
🙄
Nearly 400 schools across Ireland and Northern Ireland got a "DEATH IS NEAR" bomb threat email this morning, according to Dublin Live.
Police on both sides of the border say it's a hoax.
@VirginMediaNews The Dept of Education is not qualified to make that call, they are not security experts. A risk assessment needs to occur to deem an area safe
🚨🇮🇹🇮🇪🇬🇧 BREAKING UPDATE: AROUND 1,000 SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY MASS BOMB THREATS ACROSS EUROPE TODAY
New reporting reveals the scale of today's coordinated-looking wave of bomb threats targeting European schools on November 11.
LATEST FIGURES:
🇮🇹 ITALY: At least 300 schools evacuated following bomb threats across Rome, Milan, Naples, Bologna and other cities, according to Reuters.
🇮🇪 IRELAND: Around 400 schools in Munster alone reportedly received threatening emails this morning. Schools in Dublin were also affected.
🇬🇧 NORTHERN IRELAND: More than 300 schools reportedly received threatening emails, according to the Press Association. Police say there is no evidence of a credible threat.
🏴 SCOTLAND: Widespread threatening messages sent to schools. Police Scotland has assessed the threats as hoaxes.
Italian school threats were reportedly signed "Mikhail Andropov", the same name previously used in threats against European newsrooms and messages claiming responsibility for aviation bomb threats.
The figures refer to schools receiving threats or being evacuated, not confirmed explosives. No common perpetrator or coordinated campaign has been officially established.
- "no, you cant log your period, fuck you"
- "no, you cant contact your parent, fuck you"
- "no, you cant track your bus home, fuck you"
- "no, you cant take photographic evidence of your coursework, fuck you"
Gardaí Deem Nationwide School Bomb Threats ‘not credible’ As Hundreds of Schools Targeted
An Garda Síochána has assessed a wave of bomb threat emails sent to hundreds of schools across Ireland on Wednesday as not credible, advising that no evacuations are necessary.
The emails, titled “DEATH IS NEAR,” were received by primary and secondary schools north and south of the border, as well as media outlets including RTÉ and The Journal. Reports indicate roughly 300–400 schools in the Republic were contacted, with similar messages reaching schools in Northern Ireland, Italy and Scotland.
The messages claimed to come from “Mikhail Andropov, leader of the ‘Red Owl’ project” and alleged that an explosive device with a remote detonator had been left in a plastic bag inside the building, threatening mass casualties and further attacks. The same pseudonym was used in hoax threats to Irish and European media organisations last week.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton confirmed that her department had liaised with senior gardaí and Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan. Official advice to schools is that the threat is not credible and there is no requirement to evacuate. Schools that received the email have been asked to contact emergency services on 999 and follow Garda guidance.
An Garda Síochána has said it is dealing with a large volume of calls and is engaging with affected schools in turn. Some schools in Dublin, Cork and elsewhere evacuated as a precaution before being cleared and reopened, no devices have been reported found.
The incidents form part of a recent pattern of hoax threats targeting schools, media and airlines in Ireland and Europe, occurring ahead of major EU summits in Dublin later this week. Authorities have previously linked similar activity to external actors. Speaking to SnD Media this morning, Dublin City Councillor Gavin Pepper Ballymun-Finglas said: “In this day and age the Gardaí should have an adequate cyber security team to trace who is doing these threats.”
Deputy Garda Commissioner Paul Cleary has reminded the public that anyone receiving a bomb threat by email or other means should contact An Garda Síochána immediately on 999 with as much detail as possible. A bomb threat does not automatically require evacuation, gardaí will assess credibility and advise on the appropriate response, which may include a search or further guidance.
Investigations into the origin of the emails are ongoing.