School shut and teen arrested following threat to carry out shooting at Dublin school
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School shut and teen arrested following threat to carry out shooting at Dublin school

A TEENAGE boy has been arrested and a north Dublin school has been shut after threats were made online against staff.

Ardgillan College in Balbriggan, north Dublin, has made the decision to close today after a student made gun-related threats against staff on social media.

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and is currently being detained at a Dublin garda station after the online threats were reported.

He is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

An investigation has been launched into whether or not the boy made references to bringing a weapon into the school.

Parents were contacted this morning and informed that the school would remain closed today following the threats.

Gardaí are liaising with management at the school and are now satisfied that there is no imminent danger to staff or students attending the school.

The school will provide further updates later today.

A garda spokesperson said: "Gardaí are investigating reports of online threats against staff at a school in the north Dublin area.

"It’s understood the material was circulated online yesterday evening. Following the reports an investigation was commenced and a 16-year-old youth has since been arrested.

"Gardaí are liaising with management at the school and are now satisfied that there is no imminent danger to staff or students attending the school".

Some reports suggest that officers are considering the possibility that the threat may have been a hoax.