Irish Government provides new update on bomb threats against Irish media organisations

'We will go after this to identify who’s responsible and to hold them accountable.'

In response to the threatening emails, several broadcasters and newspapers were forced to evacuate staff from their buildings this morning, including RTÉ. This meant that RTÉ presenter David McCullagh had to host his radio programme from the broadcaster's roadcaster.

Speaking to McCullagh over the phone on the radio shortly after the RTÉ evacuation, Martin said: "It's not determined yet whether it's individuals or a coordinated attack.

"However, we will go after this to identify who's responsible and to hold them accountable.

"We have very skilled experts now working to identify those responsible for this, but our ultimate priority is the safety of our people."

Speaking on Cork’s 96FM, Tánaiste Simon Harris also said: "There is a very serious and evolving situation this morning and obviously this comes on the back... of a number of bomb scares yesterday and in recent days in relation to airlines as well.

“It is fair to say we don’t yet know who is responsible for what's happening this morning. We don’t yet know whether it's an individual behind this effort or some form of a coordinated effort.

“What I do want to assure the people of this country is that this is an issue being taken very seriously by the gardaí, by our security forces and our cyber experts. They are working now on this issue.

“Of course they will be liaising as appropriate with European counterparts as well. The priority is that people are safe. We need to work to identify the culprits as well. I want people to know that we are alive to these risks."

JOE has obtained a copy of the bomb threat sent via email to media organisations across Ireland and the UK.

The person who sent it claims they are "one of the leaders of the group" behind the wave of bomb threats against airlines and airports in recent days.

The threatening email reads:

"Hello. I am one of the leaders of the group responsible for the bomb threats against airplanes in Europe over the past week.

"European authorities have once again shown that they are incompetent fools who are incapable of doing anything to stop us.

"We experimented with multithreading, and we succeeded in causing widespread panic, as well as forcing European authorities to spend a fortune on all these procedures.

"But this is only the beginning. What happened this week is just a small part of what awaits Europe in the near future.

"Right now, we’re preparing a new wave of attacks. Right now, we’re recruiting residents of your countries who are actively cooperating with us. We’ve also gained access to compromised devices, servers, and accounts belonging to residents of Europe, as well as those outside its borders—which will allow us to use this against you.

"Very soon, we will be blowing up your airplanes, cruise ships, subway stations, and trains. In the meantime, I recommend taking a vacation by plane while you still have the chance.

"We want the whole world to know about us, which is why one of our operatives has planted an explosive device in your building. It will detonate in 45 minutes.

"The clock is ticking."

In Ireland, other broadcasters and newspapers said to be affected by the bomb threats are Bauer Media (which controls Newstalk and Today FM), the Irish Independent, and Virgin Media.

"An Garda Síochána is aware of a threat made against media organisations here and in Europe," a Garda spokesperson told JOE.

"An Garda Síochána has been liaising with the Irish media organisations and the threats will be investigated."

Main images via Rolling News