Limerick mum of children at school at centre of anthrax scare describes ‘harrowing’ experience

A MUM of children attending a Limerick school at the centre of an anthrax attack hoax on Thursday has described the “harrowing” experience.

Senator Dee Ryan said the incident at Castletroy College was “abhorrent and deeply distressing”.

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A full-scale emergency response involving Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, An Garda Siochana, Limerick Fire and Rescue Service and National Ambulance Service was put in place after a suspicious package was discovered.

The package, believed to contain white powder, was immediately reported to emergency services and treated with the utmost gravity.

One line of enquiry pursued was that it was an anthrax attack. However, further investigations revealed it was not a threat to staff or students and was a "hoax".

Senator Ryan (pictured above) said while the investigation is ongoing and the precise motivation remains to be established, “What is clear is that this act was intended to instil fear and discomfort among children, teachers, and parents”.

“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.

“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.”

The Fianna Fail senator 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.

“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. 

“Ireland is a country where most would once have thought of things like anthrax scares as something confined to Hollywood films, not real life. That we are even discussing such events here is deeply concerning.”

Ms Ryan extended her deepest thanks to An Garda Siochana, Defence Forces, the emergency services, and the teachers and staff of Castletroy College for their swift and professional response. 

“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.”