A Garda investigation is underway after a number of schools in Carlow closed after receiving emails threatening multiple mass shootings.
It is understood that some schools who received the email as parents were on the school run chose to remain open, while others closed as a precautionary measure.
At least 10 primary schools in Carlow town and in Tullow were advised to not open by An Garda Síochana today due to the nature of the emails – with up to 16 primary schools known to have been targeted by two separate messages.
Among the schools which decided to close were: Scoil Mhuire gan Smál; the Church of Ireland Primary School; St Laserians special school; Scoil Mhuire Lourdes in Tullow; St Fiacc’s NS; Ballyconnell NS; Rathvilly primary school; Scoil Molaise in Old Leighlin; Askea NS, Rathmore NS; Drumphea school; and St Columba’s.
Speaking to the The Claire Byrne Show on Newstalk, local principal and Fine Gael Councillor Fergal Brown said his school has “been liaising with the Gardaí all morning and they’re meeting schools individually and advising them.”
Cllr Brown said the email was short but that its content was “obviously upsetting” to those who received it.
“It just gave a threat to the schools about multiple mass shootings – but look, it was a very short email,” he said.
“They seemed to use an image of weapons that would have been downloaded from Google.”
He also told KCLR: “An email sent around from a Gmail account to numerous schools in Carlow, and it just indicates that there could be a mass shooting in the school.”
“I’d imagine it’s a hoax,” he added.
A garda spokesman said the force is “aware of a communication that has been sent to a number of educational establishments in Co Carlow today, Wednesday May 27, 2026”.
“Gardaí are currently assessing the contents and credibility of that communication,” they said.
“Senior garda leadership have opened communication with the affected educational establishments.
“No further information is available at this time.”