Ireland Gardaí investigate threatening email sent to Carlow schools
On Wednesday 27 May 2026, just after 7am, primary schools in Co. Carlow received threatening emails warning of multiple mass shootings. The sources differ on the number affected, reporting ten, sixteen across two messages, or twenty schools, including St Fiacc's NS in Graiguecullen. Some schools closed as a precaution while others stayed open on Garda advice. On 28 May 2026 a Garda investigation team based at Carlow Garda Station was still assessing the credibility of the email, and gardaí had been in contact with all affected schools; the sources record no arrest or charge and no identified sender.
- Reported27 May
4 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Schools in Co. Carlow received emails threatening multiple mass shootings.
- The sources differ on the number of schools targeted: ten, up to sixteen across two separate messages, or twenty primary schools.
- The email was sent from a Gmail account and is believed to have been routed through another country.
- Where
- The affected schools include St Fiacc's NS in Graiguecullen, on the Laois/Carlow border, and at least ten primary schools in Carlow town and Tullow were advised not to open.
- When
- The emails were received on Wednesday 27 May 2026, just after 7am, with no advance warning.
- Weapon
- The email appeared to use an image of weapons downloaded from Google.
- Cause
- Some schools closed as a precaution, while St Fiacc's NS and other schools stayed open on Garda advice.
- Other details
- Parents were told of the email and given the option to collect their children, and many did so.
- A local councillor and a principal said he thought the email was a hoax.
- Decisions on reopening schools that closed rest with each school's Board of Management.
- Investigation
- A Garda investigation team was established in Carlow Garda Station, and gardaí are assessing the contents and credibility of the communication.
- High-visibility Garda patrols were in place around all 42 primary schools in Co. Carlow.
- On 28 May 2026 gardaí had been in contact with all affected schools during the day, and the credibility of the email was still being investigated.
31 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA Garda investigation is underway after schools in Carlow closed after receiving emails threatening multiple mass shootings. (gript.ie)
- whatUp to 16 primary schools were targeted by two separate messages. (gript.ie)
- whatThe emails threatened multiple mass shootings. (gript.ie)
- whatThe email was sent from a Gmail account to numerous schools in Carlow. (gript.ie)
- whatA school on the Laois/Carlow border received a threatening email and chose to remain open. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatTen primary schools across Carlow reportedly received threatening emails warning of a school shooting. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereAt least 10 primary schools in Carlow town and Tullow were advised not to open. (gript.ie)
- whereSt Fiacc's NS in Graiguecullen was one of the schools that received the email. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereOne of the schools that received the email was St Fiacc's NS in Graiguecullen. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe communication was sent to schools in County Carlow on Wednesday 27 May 2026. (gript.ie)
- whenThe threatening email was received on Wednesday morning. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe article was published on 27 May 2026. (extra.ie)
- whenThe threatening email was received on Wednesday morning, just after 7am. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeSome schools that received the email chose to remain open while others closed as a precaution. (gript.ie)
- weaponThe email appeared to use an image of weapons downloaded from Google. (gript.ie)
- investigationGardaí are assessing the contents and credibility of the communication. (gript.ie)
- investigationSenior garda leadership have opened communication with the affected schools. (gript.ie)
- investigationThe email was referred to gardaí, who advised the school to remain open but to exercise vigilance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe school will continue to monitor the situation in consultation with Carlow Garda. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí are investigating an alleged shooting threat. (extra.ie)
- investigationA Garda investigation team was established in Carlow Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe email is believed to have been routed through another country, and its credibility is still being investigated. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationHigh visibility Garda patrols were in place around all 42 primary schools in Co. Carlow. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherA local councillor and principal said he thought the email was a hoax. (gript.ie)
- otherParents were informed of the email and given the option to collect their children. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMany children were collected by parents. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherSchools were forced to close. (extra.ie)
- otherThere was no advance warning of the email. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe school stayed open and followed Garda advice. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMany children were collected by parents after the parents were told of the email. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherReopening of schools that closed is a matter for each school's Board of Management. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 28 May2026Gardaí investigate credibility of threatening email sent to Laois school
Headline refers to a Laois school, but the article says the school named, St Fiacc's NS, is in Graiguecullen, Co Carlow, and that the email went to twenty primary schools in the Carlow area.
- 27 May2026Schools forced to close as Gardaí investigate alleged shooting threat
Only the headline is available; the article body is empty template code. It matches existing case 9378 by subject (schools, Gardaí investigating a threat) and publication date (27 May 2026), but the headline describes a shooting threat and school closures, while case 9378 describes a threatening email to Carlow schools. The match is tentative.
- 27 May2026Gardaí investigate threatening email sent to Laois school
Adds the principal's account (John Brennan): the school stayed open on Garda advice, parents were told and some children were collected. Gives St Fiacc's NS in Graiguecullen as one of the schools and says ten primary schools were reported, not twenty.
- 27 May2026Carlow primary schools close after threat of mass shooting - Gript
Adds that at least 10 schools were advised to close, that up to 16 schools were targeted by two separate messages, that the email came from a Gmail account and used an image of weapons, and that gardaí are assessing its credibility and have opened communication with the schools.