More than 10 primary schools across Carlow have been forced to close after receiving an anonymous email threatening a ‘mass shooting’ at a school in the county, with Gardaí investigating the communication as a suspected hoax
Gardai (stock image)(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Agency, Dublin)
Multiple schools throughout Carlow have been closed today following an email threatening a ‘mass shooting.’
Over 10 primary schools in the county opted to close this morning after receiving the disturbing message – with gardaí investigating but currently treating it as an elaborate hoax.
Despite this, acting on garda advice, all affected schools took the precautionary step of closing while officers ramped up patrols locally and assessed whether there could be any credibility to the sinister claims
The anonymous message warned of a mass shooting at a Carlow school – sparking alarm amongst teachers, pupils and parents this morning.
St Fiacc’s NS, Ballyconnell NS, Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, St Laserian’s NS, Rathvilly primary school, Scoil Molaise in Old Leighlin, Scoil Mhuire Lourdes, Rathmore NS, Drumphea school, and St Columba’s all opted to close in response to the threat, reports the Irish Mirror.
St Joseph’s National School also closed its gates – with Principal and local Councillor Fergal Browne discussing the unsettling nature of the threat.
“Basically there was an email sent around from a Gmail account to numerous schools in Carlow. Now some of the emails were actually wrong. I was speaking to two principals lately and they were mentioned but the email addresses were wrong on it. It seems to be a generic email that came around and God knows where it came from. It could have come from a different country,” he explained.
“It (the email) just indicates there could be a mass shooting in a school. But I imagine it’s a hoax and the gardai have been liaising with all the schools and talking with myself this morning a good bit on it,” he told local radio station KCLR.
“There is an increased garda presence in the town as a result and it is obviously concerning but I want to reassure the parents that schools are very safe places and there are a lot of systems in place and we will learn from this as well,” he continued.
“Hopefully today we’ll all go home safely and sit down as a group of principals later on again when things calm down a bit and see how we can react to these threats in the future.”
The local Fine Gael councillor noted this wasn’t the first hoax threat in the region – referencing a previous email falsely claiming a bomb had been planted at another Carlow school several years back.
“These things happen,” he added.
“I understand on social media there were similar threats made in Trim last week and even in Co Clare so I don’t know what individuals are behind it but it’s obviously not good enough and its caused a lot of concern for parents. I know one school are missing their tour today because of it now. You can imagine how that is very upsetting for them.”
Multiple schools contacted parents early this morning regarding the threat.
One institution – Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, an all-girls primary school in Carlow town stated: “We, like some schools in the area, have received a threatening email this morning. In the interests of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our school community, Scoil Mhuire gan Smál will remain closed today.
“The safety of our pupils and staff is always our absolute priority. We are working closely with the appropriate agencies and will keep you informed of any further updates as information becomes available.”
In a statement issued to the Irish Mirror, gardaí confirmed their awareness of the email and revealed they are working alongside a number of schools as an investigation gets underway.
“An Garda Síochána is aware of a communication that has been sent to a number of educational establishments in Co. Carlow today, Wednesday 27th May 2026.
“Gardaí are currently assessing the contents and credibility of that communication.
“Senior Garda leadership have opened communication with the affected educational establishments. No further information is available at this time” they said.
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