Hoax bomb threats prompt evacuation at Lambeg school; councillor urges swift justice
A Lisburn councillor has called for a full police investigation after what education officials believe were hoax calls reporting bombs at around 160 schools across Northern Ireland on Monday morning, including St Colman’s primary school in Lambeg.
Local elected member Cllr Jonathan Craig said he had contacted St Colman’s directly after the call, which arrived as pupils were arriving at the school. The principal ordered an immediate evacuation amid concerns for children’s safety.
"First of all, I personally contacted St Colman's school in Lambeg. It's absolutely true, there was a threat, put into the school about a bomb, in the school, early this morning while kids were arriving," Cllr Craig said.
Cllr Craig told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that, when he contacted the Education Authority, he was informed that the same threat had been made to 160 schools across the province. He said the Education Authority and the police had been in touch and were treating the incidents as likely hoaxes.
He described the targeting of schools as "terrible", saying the calls had frightened pupils and staff and appealed to the police to pursue those responsible. "I just hope and pray that the PSNI investigate this properly, find the individual and prosecute him," he said, adding that the person "deserves anything that's coming from the justice system".
Lisburn North SDLP councillor Pat Catney, who lives locally, said he had been due to visit St Colman’s to discuss a new pedestrian crossing but instead found the county dealing with the reports. The Education Authority and the PSNI were contacted for comment.
Immediate impact and wider context
Schools receiving bomb threats — whether genuine or hoax — face immediate disruption: principals must decide to evacuate or lock down, parents are alarmed and the PSNI must deploy resources to assess and secure sites. That response places a strain on emergency services and education staff, even when threats are later judged to be not credible.
- Location directly affected: St Colman’s Primary School, Lambeg (Lisburn area)
- Number of schools reportedly targeted: 160 across Northern Ireland
- Authorities involved: Education Authority and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Evacuation | Ordered at St Colman's after threat while pupils were arriving |
| Reported scale | Threats made to 160 schools, Education Authority informed councillor |
| Investigation | PSNI and Education Authority working together |
The atmosphere in Lisburn and surrounding communities has been one of alarm and frustration. Councillors from different parties commonly express concern in such situations about the potential psychological impact on pupils, parents and staff and the diversion of police resources from other duties.
While details remain limited and formal statements from the PSNI and Education Authority are awaited, local representatives have urged a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute whoever is responsible for making the calls.
Parents and carers are likely to seek reassurance from schools in the coming days about the measures in place to protect children and the steps taken following the incident. Schools and authorities typically review safeguarding and emergency procedures after such incidents, even where the threat is established as a hoax.
The PSNI has previously treated threats against schools as serious offences because of the risk posed to children and the public. Local residents have been advised to follow updates from official channels and to contact police with any information that may assist the investigation.
This developing story affects not only the Lambeg community but schools and families across Northern Ireland; the full scale and origin of the calls remain under inquiry by the relevant authorities.
