Donegal schools set to reopen after bomb threat hoax

All primary and secondary schools in Donegal are expected to reopen on Friday morning following a bomb‑threat email hoax.

On Wednesday, several schools received an email with the subject “Death awaits you”, claiming to be from “Hamas militants” and describing a fabricated explosive device. The message was signed “Allahu Akbar”.

Gardaí carried out precautionary checks at the affected schools and individual establishments conducted their own risk assessments. A Garda spokesperson declined further comment, while a source described the incident as “an elaborate and unsettling hoax”.

The Department of Education said on Wednesday night it had consulted the authorities and advised schools to operate as normal unless directed otherwise by An Garda Síochána.

Some schools informed parents that they had already been inspected by Gardaí and would open as scheduled, while others announced a delayed start pending the arrival of officers. No pupils were present at the time due to the public‑sector strike, although teachers, SNAs and other staff were on picket lines.

The threatening email was similar to communications sent to an estimated 150 schools nationwide.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Shivam ‎ / Pexels.