Gardaí attend Tallaght, Ballyfermot and Clondalkin schools following email bomb threats

Gardaí attended several schools in Tallaght, Ballyfermot and Clondalkin this morning, following reports of bomb threats that were emailed to the schools.

An Garda Síochána said it is “aware of a generic communication” that was sent to a number of schools on Wednesday morning and has assessed this threat as “not credible” and is “not advising any educational establishment to evacuate.”

Gardaí are continuing to engage with the affected schools.

Chair of the Local Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Daithí Doolan, called the targeting of primary schools “sinister” and “totally unacceptable.”

“This is deeply concerning. I sincerely hope that those behind these threats are caught and face justice. “This is not a victimless crime. It has caused huge stress and anxiety for children, their parents, and staff.”

He said parents expect their children to be safe and cared for when dropping their kids off at school, but the bomb threats have now “brought chaos and fear into their lives.”

“I hope all those affected get the support they need at this difficult time. The Government must respond to this new reality and put in place a strategy that will tackle this level of crime.”

Speaking about the recent string of bomb threats, Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary said, “Our priority is, and always will be, the safety of the public.”

“You can be assured that every such report is taken seriously and that An Garda Síochána is committed to providing a professional, proportionate and timely response.”