More than 150 schools in Northern Ireland have received an “Islamist” bomb threat, Stormont’s education minister has said. Paul Givan confirmed that 160 schools were subject to the communications, which were sent via threatening emails.
The warning, which is not being treated as viable, was signed off “Allahu Akbar”. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it was conducting “urgent inquiries” and liaising with affected schools. A number of schools closed on Monday morning after receiving the emails.
Minister’s Statement at Stormont
Speaking to reporters at Stormont, Mr Givan said: “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 added: “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.”
Schools Advised to Stay Open
Mr Givan said some schools had closed as a result of the threat, which he condemned, noting the disruption caused to young people’s education. He advised schools to contact their local policing district commands and said that unless they had a specifically identified object in their school, closing was not warranted.
“This is something that ought to be condemned by everybody, and I am hugely disappointed that for some schools they have had to close, but it is not something that we are regarding as a viable threat, but nevertheless, hugely disruptive and very distressing,” he said.
Education Authority Response
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”. It acknowledged the concern this may cause for school leaders, staff, pupils and families.
The authority said it is “engaging closely with the PSNI and will act on their advice”, adding that communications have been issued to schools and it continues to support school leaders and keep them informed.
