A number of school closures in Northern Ireland on Monday have prompted a police investigation into a suspicious email that was circulated to multiple institutions. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that schools in Strabane, Ballycastle, and Enniskillen were impacted after receiving the message, though the email’s content has not been made public.
Five schools in Ballycastle, County Antrim, and two in Strabane, County Tyrone, remained shut as a precaution. Meanwhile, Erne Integrated College in Enniskillen received a security alert but stayed open after police conducted a search and found no cause for concern.
Police working with London authorities
PSNI officers are working in coordination with the Metropolitan Police in London as part of the investigation. Officers are also in direct contact with the affected schools to ensure safety measures are in place.
Strabane Academy and Strabane Primary School both announced their closures via social media. Ballycastle High School, Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle Integrated Primary School, St Patrick’s & St Brigid’s Primary School, and Gaelscoil An Chaistil also remained closed.
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools acknowledged awareness of the incident but stated that it would be inappropriate to comment further while investigations are ongoing.
Concern among parents and disruption to families
The incident sparked concern across affected communities. Independent councillor Jason Barr said he was stopped at the gates of Strabane Primary School by officers who explained that the closure was due to a security concern.
“This has put fear into many parents across the Strabane district,” said Barr. “It’s disrupted the education of students and potentially affected family incomes, as many parents had to take time off work.”
Mandy Kelly, a catering manager at Strabane Academy and mother to a pupil, described the scene as worrying and sudden. “Everything seemed normal until the principal announced we had to close due to a security alert. It was very worrying for the children, parents, and staff.”
Ongoing investigation
The Education Authority and the principal of Holy Cross College confirmed they were in communication with police but would not release further details until investigations concluded.
