Cavan schools got hoax 'Hamas' bomb threat

The email was sent at 10.30am and found in the school’s email junk folder.

Dozens of Cavan primary schools were among close to a dozen across the North West Region to receive a threatening email warning them of an imminent potential bomb attack on Wednesday.

Gardaí are treating the emails, that were received by more than 30 schools in County Cavan as hoaxes. Gardaí have been in contact with each of the schools.

More than 150 schools nationwide received a similar hoax threat on the same day as the majority of schools across Ireland were already shut following widespread industrial action over public sector pay.

One school in County Cavan that the Celt is aware of, received the email at 10.30am. It was found in the schools' email junk folder.

It is understood to have given the recipient schools a one-hour warning, explained how the bomb was hidden in an allegedly undetectable manner, and made a vague demand in relation to ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Department of Education has said it consulted with An Garda Siochána on the issue, who advised any school to get such an email to contact the authorities.

“The department communicated this advice to schools and boards of management, management bodies, and unions,” the statement said.

Gardaí meanwhile confirm it was made “aware of a communication” sent to a number of schools on Wednesday, and subsequently set about assessing the “contents and credibility” of the perceived threat.