*St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon closed on Tuesday morning. Photograph: Joe Buckley
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA have confirmed that the security threat which resulted in the closures of schools in Shannon, Sixmilebridge and Ennis on Tuesday morning “is not credible”.
Schools have been given the green-light to reopen after investigations into a threat which claimed that “items” were placed around a number of schools in the county and that the person behind the correspondence would be “armed with multiple firearms”.
A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána confirmed to The Clare Echo that following an initial assessment Gardaí believe the security threat is not credible and there is ongoing risk to the public.
The spokesperson outlined, “Following initial assessment, An Garda Síochána is satisfied that the security threat is not credible and there is no ongoing risk to the public. Gardaí are engaging with the affected educational establishments with regard to this incident. Enquiries are ongoing. No further information is available at this time”.
While some of the schools closed for the full day, others had intended on reopening at 12pm with some of these to now reopen at 11am.
Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) referred to the “shocking threat” and praised the response of Gardaí. “This was a very scary incident for parents, students, school staff and the general public and I have full confidence in Clare’s Gardai to properly investigate this and establish all the facts”.
Aontú local representative, June Dillon said the “shocking incident” was “a new low for crime for the county”. She said, “To threaten and frighten children, school staff and parents to such an extent is an appalling action. School is expected to be a safe place, and this situation has now left communities uncertain about the future. The response of the Gardaí in this unpredictable situation is to be commended”.
