Threatening email sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland
Over 150 schools in NI received bomb threats which are not being treated as viable, says Stormont's education minister
Last updated 19th Oct 2026
Over 150 schools in Northern Ireland received bomb threats which are not being treated as viable, Stormont education minister Paul Givan has said.
Speaking at Stormont he 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 ‘Allah Akbar’.
“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.
“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. We’ve advised schools to be in contact with their local policing district commands, and unless they have a specifically identified object in their school, that isn’t something that should warrant them taking any further action whereby they are closing.
“But obviously, 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.”
In a statement the PSNI said “Police received reports today, Monday 19th October, of an email sent to a number of schools across Northern Ireland. As a result of this email, police are conducting urgent enquiries, and liaising with the schools in question. An update will be provided in due course”
“These are being treated as a hoax and officers are investigating.”
A spokesperson for the Education Authority said: “The Education Authority is aware that a number of schools across Northern Ireland have received a threatening email this morning. We recognise the concern this may cause for school leaders, staff, pupils and families.
“We are engaging closely with the PSNI and will act on their advice. Communications have been issued to schools, and we continue to support school leaders and keep them informed.”
Independent MLA Claire Sugden has urged parents to remain calm following threats made against schools across Northern Ireland this morning, which have led to evacuations and an urgent police investigation.
Ms Sugden said: “For any parent, hearing that their child's school has received a threat like this is incredibly frightening. Parents send their children to school trusting that they will be safe, and no family should have to face this kind of worry. My thoughts are with the children, parents and school staff caught up in what must be a very unsettling situation.
“I would encourage parents not to panic, but to keep a close eye on communications from their child's school and follow any instructions regarding collection. The safety of children and staff must come first, and I hope police enquiries can provide reassurance to families as quickly as possible
Meanwhile Police in Scotland are investigating hoax threats made to a number of schools.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of threatening messages being sent to a number of schools across Scotland.
“These are being treated as a hoax and officers are investigating.”
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