Schools sent hoax bomb threats

A number of schools in Cork city received bomb threats today, Wednesday 11 November, which gardaí said were not credible.

The hoax threats were sent via email, which An Garda Síochána said were "generic communications".

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: "We assess this threat as not credible and we are not advising any educational establishments to evacuate."

They said they were engaging with the schools affected.

It is understood that a threat was sent to schools across Cork city and county, as well as in Dublin.

Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers in Faranree told parents via email that they had received the threat but had been assured by the Department of Education that the threat was a hoax.

Speaking on Tuesday 10 November, Deputy Garda Commissioner Paul Cleary said that anyone who receives a threat by email, letter, or any message should contact An Garda Síochána immediately by calling 999.

"Provide as much detail as possible about the threat and the communication you have received.

"Once notified, our Garda Regional Control Centre will assess the credibility of the threat. Following that assessment, the control centre and/or the gardaí responding will advise you on the most appropriate course of action. We will do this as quickly as possible," he said.

He also said that a bomb threat does not automatically mean that a building needs to be evacuated, but he said that attending gardaí will assist with the decision.