Gardai are probing an online threat by an unknown person to "shoot up" an Irish school.
It was issued on Snapchat on Wednesday morning and caused panic and fear among the 1,000 plus pupils at St Oliver's Community School, Drogheda, Co Louth.
The grim warning spread like wildfire online. It said: "Spread the word, tomorrow at 11.02 I will be up at Oliver's Drogheda and I'm going to put bullets in everyone's heads."
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Some terrified kids left the school immediately while others rang the parents and asked them to pick them up.
A large number of classes however continued as normal and widespread panic was avoided.
The school authorities were made aware of the threat and immediately called the Gardai.
A number of officers went to the school and carried out an extensive search looking for a possible shooter and a gun, but neither was found.
So far officers have no idea who exactly made the threat but suspect it is a disgruntled teenager.
A statement the Gardai confirmed they were investigating an online threat against an educational institution in Drogheda and ongoing Garda patrols in the area are taking place.
It also said they are eager to track down the person who issued the anonymous and sinister threat.
One parent told how his young daughter rang him in terror convinced some sort of attack was about to take place.
He said: "She is 14-years-old, she ran out of the school and I went and picked her up.
"All of the younger ones were scared but the older kids were quite calm about it all."
St Oliver is a mixed school for boys and girls and has an outstanding results record.
A Garda source added: "We won't relax until we find out exactly who made this threat.It may take a few days. but we will find out who that person is.
"Thankfully no weapon was found in the school and our priority now is to keep the kids safe until we get to the bottom of this case."
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