Ireland Gardaí assess school bomb threats in Limerick as not credible
Schools in Limerick received threatening emails in the early hours of 11 November 2026 warning that a bomb was hidden in a plastic bag on the school grounds. The same generic email was sent to around 300 schools across the country, addressed to the principal at each school. No suspect has been identified or arrested. Gardaí assessed the threat as not credible and are not advising any educational establishment to evacuate, though a small number of schools in Dublin and Cork evacuated as a precaution. An Garda Síochána received several hundred calls and are engaging with affected schools.
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Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Schools in Limerick received threatening emails in the early hours of 11 November 2026 warning that a bomb was hidden in a plastic bag on the school grounds.
- The same generic email was sent to around 300 schools across the country, addressed to the principal at each school.
- Where
- A small number of schools in Dublin and Cork evacuated as a precaution, while Gardaí have not confirmed if any schools in Tipperary are affected.
- When
- The emails were received in the early hours of 11 November 2026.
- Investigation
- Gardaí assessed the threat as not credible and are not advising any educational establishment to evacuate.
- An Garda Síochána received several hundred calls in connection with the incident.
- Gardaí are engaging with a number of educational establishments.
- Other details
- Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary spoke about increased activity in hoax and non-credible bomb threats.
- The public is advised to call 999 immediately if they receive a bomb threat.
71 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSchools in Limerick received threatening emails in the early hours of 11 November 2026. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatThe email warned that a bomb was hidden in a plastic bag on the school grounds. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatViolent and sinister threats were sent to many schools both north and south of the border (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whatSchools in Limerick and Cork received a generic email warning of a bomb hidden in a plastic bag on school grounds. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatA number of schools in Cork evacuated pupils and staff after receiving the threat. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatThe threats were received by around 300 schools nationwide. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatSchools across Laois and much of the country were sent hoax bomb threats on 11 November 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatAn email was sent to a number of schools across Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatSchools in Louth received the same bomb threats emailed to national and secondary schools across the country both north and south. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatA local school was advised there was no credible threat and would stay open following a check of the premises. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatAt least 300 schools were targeted in a mass email across the Republic (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSome schools were evacuated when staff received the emails (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe email claimed an explosive device with a remote detonator was left in a plastic bag inside the building (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAt least 300 schools received bomb threats that were deemed not to be credible. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe targeted school is Scoil Lachtain in Freshford (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereA similar number of schools were threatened in Northern Ireland (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAround 1,000 schools were targeted in Scotland (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAround 400 schools were targeted in Italy (irishmirror.ie)
- whenSchools in Limerick received emailed bomb threats on Wednesday 11 November 2026. (limerickpost.ie)
- whenThe email was sent around 9.20am (irishmirror.ie)
- whenGardaí are bracing for more threats as over 50 world leaders gather in Dublin's Convention Centre. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí assessed the threat as not credible and are not advising any educational establishment to evacuate. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationAn Garda Síochána received several hundred calls in connection with the incident. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí said they would send someone to look over the building at some point that day (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationGardaí assess the threat as not credible and are not advising any school to evacuate (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationGardaí are engaging with a number of educational establishments (kilkennypeople.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationAn Garda Síochána assessed the threat as not credible and advised no need for schools to evacuate. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe school contacted An Garda Síochána on receipt of the email. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationFollowing Gardaí's assessment the school was advised there was no need to evacuate. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationA precautionary search of the school building was conducted and all areas were found to be secure. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationGardaí assess the threat as not credible and are not advising any educational establishment to evacuate. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationThe culprit behind the hoax emails has not been tracked down. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationMore than 5,000 gardaí have been deployed for the EPC summit at the Convention Centre Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe Garda Water Unit carried out checks on the River Liffey and dock areas ahead of the summit. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtGardaí issued a statement about a generic communication sent to educational establishments on 11 November 2026 (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe email was addressed to the principal in each school. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe same email was sent to around 300 schools across the country. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherA small number of schools in Dublin and Cork decided to evacuate as a precaution. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe school decided to continue the day as usual after consultation with management (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherParents and guardians were told they could collect their children if they felt it necessary (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe children were not made aware of the threat (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherGardaí believe the threats to be bogus. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherGardaí told schools in Limerick, Cork, Dublin and other locations they believe the threat is a hoax. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherBeyond a precautionary general security check, there is no reason for evacuation. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe Department of Education sent a communication to schools concerning the emailed threats. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherFollowing consultation with senior Gardaí, schools need not evacuate. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe threats follow other bomb threats that caused aircraft to make emergency diversions and media organisations to evacuate. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherRTÉ had to go off air for a short period the previous week. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherNone of the Laois schools were evacuated as a result. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThere was no requirement to evacuate the school and the school day continued as normal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherDeputy Commissioner Paul Cleary said people should immediately ring 999 on receiving a threat. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherGardaí received a large volume of phone calls and would liaise with each school in turn. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherGardaí received a large volume of calls regarding emails sent to schools (rte.ie)
- otherGardaí assessed the threat as not credible and said no need to evacuate (rte.ie)
- otherA generic communication was sent to a number of educational establishments (rte.ie)
- otherPSNI said 300 schools in Northern Ireland reported receiving the email (rte.ie)
- otherPSNI is treating the threat as a hoax (rte.ie)
- otherPSNI considers risk to the public as low (rte.ie)
- otherThe message has similarities with a bogus threat sent the previous month declared a hoax by PSNI (rte.ie)
- otherGarda Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary provided guidance on response to hoax bomb threats (rte.ie)
- otherSimilar emails were received by some schools in Scotland (rte.ie)
- otherPolice Scotland said there was nothing to suggest a credible threat (rte.ie)
- otherA number of media organisations in Ireland and the UK received a similar threat earlier (rte.ie)
- otherClasses continued as normal throughout the school day. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherNone of the threats was credible (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAll are believed to have been targeted by the same online hoaxers (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe threats claimed to be from Mikhail Andropov, the same name used in the email threats the previous Friday (irishmirror.ie)
- otherRTÉ received the same threat at 09:22 and Gardaí advised them not to take further action (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGardaí advised schools that the threat was not credible and there was no need to evacuate (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Taoiseach said schools should take the advice of An Garda Síochána regarding the threats. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Taoiseach said it is not necessarily easy to track who sent an email. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Nov2026Hoaxers not yet found as Taoiseach addresses schools amid more bomb threat fears
Follow-up confirming the threats were deemed not credible, no culprit identified yet, and the Taoiseach's advice to schools amid the EPC summit security operation.
other, Micheál Martin, maleMicheál Martin - 11 Nov2026Major Irish schools update after gardai confirm more than 300 targeted in email
Provides full text of the 'DEATH IS NEAR' email, confirms 300+ schools targeted in the Republic plus similar numbers in NI, Scotland and Italy, includes statements from Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary, Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton, RTE DG Kevin Bakhurst, and Commissioner Justin Kelly who believes the threats came from outside the state.
suspect, Mikhail Andropov, namedMikhail Andropovother, Paul Cleary, malePaul Clearyother, Justin Kelly, maleJustin Kellyother, Kevin Bakhurst, maleKevin Bakhurstother, Hildegarde Naughton, femaleHildegarde Naughtonother, Jim O'Callaghan, maleJim O'Callaghan - 11 Nov2026Louth schools among those to receive bomb threat
Provides the Louth-specific angle on the national school bomb threat emails, confirming local schools received the same generic email and that Gardaí assessed the threat as not credible with no evacuation required.
other, Hildegarde Naughton, femaleHildegarde Naughton - 11 Nov2026'No need to evacuate' after threats sent to schools
Adds the Minister for Education's public statement that no evacuation is needed, PSNI's assessment in Northern Ireland (300 schools, treated as hoax, risk low), a Belfast primary school's message noting similarities to a bogus threat from the previous month, and mentions of similar emails in Scotland and to media organisations in Ireland and the UK.
other, Hildegarde Naughton, femaleHildegarde Naughtonother, Jim O'Callaghan, maleJim O'Callaghanother, Anthony McNally, maleAnthony McNallyother, Paul Cleary, malePaul Cleary - 11 Nov2026Hoax bomb threats issued to Laois schools
Provides the Laois-specific perspective on the nationwide school bomb threats, including a statement from St Colman's NS in Stradbally, advice from Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary, and a statement from Minister Hildegarde Naughton confirming Gardaí assessed the threat as not credible.
other, Bryan Lynch, maleBryan Lynchother, Paul Cleary, malePaul Clearyother, Hildegarde Naughton, femaleHildegarde Naughtonother, Jim O'Callaghan, maleJim O'Callaghan - 11 Nov2026Schools bomb threats declared a hoax
Adds that Cork schools evacuated pupils and staff, Gardaí told schools in Limerick, Cork, Dublin and other locations the threat is a hoax, the Department of Education sent a communication confirming no evacuation is needed, and references other recent bomb threats including aircraft diversions and RTÉ going off air.
- 11 Nov2026Bomb threat latest as Kilkenny school amongst those targeted
Adds the Kilkenny angle to the same wave of school bomb threat emails, naming Scoil Lachtain in Freshford as a targeted school and quoting the school's statement and Cllr Maurice Shortall's reaction.
other, Maurice ShortallMaurice Shortall - 11 Nov2026LIVE: Schools in Limerick among those to receive early-morning bomb threats
Live blog reporting the initial response to the bomb threat emails sent to schools across the country, with Gardaí and the Department of Education advising that the threats are a hoax and no evacuation is required.
Changed after publication
facts outlets added, removed or correctedirishmirror.ie, 12 Nov 2026, 18:12: Hoaxers not yet found as Taoiseach addresses schools amid more bomb threat fears
- AddedMicheál Martin says the European Union has put down a very clear marker on security
irishmirror.ie, 12 Nov 2026, 17:11: Hoaxers not yet found as Taoiseach addresses schools amid more bomb threat fears
- RemovedA statement that Micheál Martin said the European Union has put down a very clear marker on security was removed.
irishmirror.ie, 12 Nov 2026, 14:08: Hoaxers not yet found as Taoiseach addresses schools amid more bomb threat fears
- AddedTaoiseach Micheál Martin said the European Union has 'put down a very clear marker' on security
dundalkdemocrat.ie, 11 Nov 2026, 18:26: Louth schools among those to receive bomb threat
- CorrectedThe scope of Louth schools affected by the bomb threats was narrowed from all schools to some schools (was Schools in Louth have received the same bomb threats, now Some schools in Louth have received the same bomb threats)
kilkennypeople.ie, 11 Nov 2026, 16:24: Bomb threat latest as Kilkenny school amongst those targeted
- AddedMultiple schools in Kilkenny have confirmed they received the bomb threat
rte.ie, 11 Nov 2026, 16:24: 'No need to evacuate' after threats sent to schools
- RemovedThe minister said gardaí received a large volume of phone calls that morning.
- AddedSchools in Dublin, Cork and Wicklow are believed to have been targeted.
- AddedA number of schools evacuated pupils or carried out precautionary searches, and many schools contacted parents and guardians.
rte.ie, 11 Nov 2026, 15:23: 'No need to evacuate' after threats sent to schools
- AddedSchools were evacuated across Italy on Wednesday following a series of hoax bomb threats.
- AddedItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said there was no "concrete danger".
- AddedMeloni called a government meeting with security and intelligence chiefs for Wednesday to discuss the threats.
- AddedEducation Minister Giuseppe Valditara said 312 schools had received the threats and urged people not to panic.
- AddedCrowds of evacuated schoolchildren were seen outside their schools in different parts of the country.
rte.ie, 11 Nov 2026, 14:22: 'No need to evacuate' after threats sent to schools
- AddedTaoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil that gardaí received several hundred calls from schools over emailed warnings which he described as generic email threats.
- AddedThe Department of Justice has liaised with An Garda Síochána at senior level regarding the incident.
- AddedGardaí will contact each school individually, but given the volume of calls this may take some time.
- AddedSchools that received the email are advised to contact the emergency services at 999.
- AddedThe Department of Education has written to all schools to advise them on the matter.
- CorrectedThe level of contact between officials and gardaí was upgraded from simply being in contact to being in constant contact. (was officials are in contact with gardaí about the matter, now her officials have been in constant contact with An Garda Síochána)
kilkennypeople.ie, 11 Nov 2026, 13:22: Bomb threat latest as Kilkenny school amongst those targeted
- CorrectedThe spelling of the town where Scoil Lachtain is located was corrected from 'Freshforf' to 'Freshford'. (was Scoil Lachtain in Freshforf, now Scoil Lachtain in Freshford)
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