Co Carlow Schools Receive Mass Shooting Threat, Gardaí Investigate

Multiple primary schools across Co Carlow received threatening emails today, Wednesday, detailing a mass shooting involving staff and children. Up to 16 primary schools were targeted by two separate emails, leading at least 10 in Carlow town and Tullow to close on gardaí advice.

Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, an all-girls primary school in Carlow town, informed parents at 8:19 AM of its closure due to the threat. Other schools, including the Church of Ireland Primary School and St Laserians special school, also closed, while some remained open.

A Garda investigation team has been established in Carlow Garda station, and communication lines are open with the Department of Education. Supt Anthony Farrell stated a process is underway to identify the sender and assess the message's credibility, noting no advance warning. He advised school management to conduct a cursory search of buildings and grounds and warned against clicking links in potential follow-up ransomware emails, urging them to contact Carlow Garda Station instead. Targeted and armed patrols are being conducted.

Local Fine Gael councillor and St Joseph’s National School principal, Cllr Browne, confirmed the generic email came from an unknown Gmail account, detailing a mass shooting. He kept St Joseph’s open after consulting gardaí, emphasizing vigilance and adherence to garda advice. No secondary schools reportedly received the emails.