A WORRIED mother and Fianna Fáil senator condemned the actions of those behind n hoax that led to the evacuation of her children’s secondary school in Limerick yesterday (Thursday October 9).
The security alert was implemented by Castletroy College secondary school after a package, which was suspected to be potentially containing anthrax, and later confirmed to have been a hoax, was discovered at the school.
“As a parent with children attending Castletroy College, I can only describe the experience of seeing them and their classmates evacuated under such circumstances as harrowing,” said Senator Dee Ryan.
“A school should be a sanctuary of safety, not a place where young people must confront scenes of emergency response units and bomb disposal teams,” Senator Ryan said.
Gardaí requested the assistance of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit attached to the Defence Forces, which declared the package safe.
Firefighters attached to Limerick City and County Fire and Rescue Service along with National Ambulance Service paramedics also attended the scene.
As a precaution, some of the emergency service first responders wore hazmat suits as protection against possible hazardous material.
On Thursday night, Gardaí declared the incident a hoax.
“Gardaí were alerted to a suspicious package at a premises in Castletroy, Limerick, shortly before 2pm, Thursday. Emergency protocols were immediately activated,” a Garda statement read.
“The premises was evacuated, a cordon was established around the area, and the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was requested to attend.
“Following examination, the package was declared safe and determined to be a hoax. All cordons and traffic diversions have since been lifted.”
Gardaí added that “investigations are ongoing”.
Senator Ryan described the incident as “abhorrent and deeply distressing” for her family, others with children attending the school, and school staff.
“While the investigation is ongoing and the precise motivation remains to be established, what is clear is that this act was intended to instill fear and discomfort among children, teachers, and parents,” Senator Ryan said.
“Despite the act being a hoax, the intent behind it is utterly deplorable. To deliberately create fear in a space dedicated to children’s growth and education is an act of emotional intimidation and moral cowardice.”
Senator Ryan said “we saw a similar incident only last month in Dublin, and I fear we are beginning to see the normalisation of behaviour that seeks to intimidate and unsettle under the guise of hoaxes or pranks”.
Senator Ryan said she believed Ireland was a country “where most would once have thought of things like anthrax scares as something confined to Hollywood films, not real life, and that we are even discussing such events here is deeply concerning”.
She thanked the school staff and emergency crews for their “swift and professional response” to the incident and “their calm leadership ensured that every child was protected and reassured in an unimaginable situation”.
“This kind of incident has no place in our society. It must be condemned outright and stamped out before it ever becomes normalised,” she said.