Overview
- Local schools reported receiving two near-identical threatening emails just after 7am on Wednesday, May 27, and roughly 20 primary schools in County Carlow were targeted.
- Up to ten schools chose to remain closed for the day while others opened at their boards' discretion after principals alerted parents by early morning.
- An Garda Síochána set up an investigation team at Carlow Garda Station, deployed high-visibility and armed patrols around primary schools, and is liaising with the Department of Education.
- The emails included violent wording and photos of firearms, were sent from a generic Gmail account in two messages, and are believed to have been routed through another country as officers assess credibility.
- Senior gardaí warned staff not to click links because the incident could be a hoax with a follow-up ransomware or cyber-extortion attempt, and investigations into the sender and motive are ongoing.