More than 150 schools in Northern Ireland have received an “Islamist” bomb threat, Stormont’s education minister has said. Paul Givan said the warning, which is not being treated as viable, was signed off “Allahu Akbar”.
Urgent inquiries underway
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it was conducting “urgent inquiries” and liaising with affected schools, a number of which closed on Monday morning after receiving threatening emails. Speaking to reporters at Stormont, Mr Givan confirmed that 160 schools had been subject to the communications.
“This morning 160 schools received a threat reporting – it would appear to me from Islamists threatening that Sharia law will be brought into our country and that there is viable devices within those school settings and it was signed off ‘Allahu Akbar’,” he said.
Schools advised to stay open
“That has been escalated to the PSNI and the Education Authority are having emergency meetings with the police this morning. At this stage the advice to schools is that we’re not treating this as a viable threat but it has clearly caused huge alarm,” Mr Givan added.
“Some schools have closed as a result of this threat being received through formal communication channels to those schools, something that I absolutely condemn that there has been this level of disruption caused to young people’s education. But obviously, we are working through a process with the PSNI in terms of dealing with that email that was communicated to those schools.”
Education Authority response
Mr Givan advised schools to contact their local policing district commands, noting that unless a specifically identified object is found in a school, further action such as closing is not warranted. He expressed disappointment that some schools had to close, describing the situation as “hugely disruptive and very distressing”.
In a statement, the Education Authority said it is “aware that a number of schools across Northern Ireland have received a threatening email this morning”. The authority said it recognises the concern this may cause for school leaders, staff, pupils and families, and is engaging closely with the PSNI, acting on their advice, while continuing to support school leaders and keep them informed.
