RTÉ and Irish Independent staff evacuated after security alerts

Staff at RTÉ and the Irish Independent publishers Mediahuis have been evacuated following several security alerts. It is understood that an email making a threat was sent to RTÉ and the Irish Independent, which did not specify a news organisation in the text of the email.

The entire building in Donnybrook was evacuated as a precaution. RTÉ Radio 1’s programming dropped out mid air during Morning Ireland. The scheduled programme Today with David McCullagh, due to start at 9am, was replaced with music and a pre-recorded message.

It’s understood there is a garda presence on site at Montrose, Donnybrook. The newspaper group Mediahuis has also evacuated its offices on Talbot Street in Dublin, while radio station Newstalk, located at Marconi House, was also evacuated.

According to the Irish Independent, staff at various media organisations in Ireland have been evacuated this morning after an alleged security alert. Newspapers, including the Irish Independent, and broadcasters across Dublin were evacuated after emails were sent to various newsrooms in Ireland and the UK.

A heavy garda presence is at the scene of RTÉ in Donnybrook, Dublin 4. Armed response Gardaí are responding on site. RTÉ Radio One replaced its scheduled programme, Today with David McCullagh, due to start at 9am, with an off-air pre-recorded continuity programme of music.

Staff have also been evacuated at Newstalk Radio, owned by Bauer Media, and Virgin Media in Ballymount, west Dublin. Other media organisations in Ireland and the UK have also been sent identical threats this morning.

It follows multiple bomb threats sent to airlines over the past days. Hoax bomb threats disrupted dozens of passenger flights across Europe on Thursday, forcing unplanned landings by some planes, including two from Ireland, and prompting fighter jets to escort or intercept others, in a dramatic escalation after an initial wave earlier this week.

The highly unusual spate of bomb threats affected nearly 30 flights by the end of Thursday, after at least seven flights and a cruise ship also received hoax threats on Tuesday.

No government has said who was behind the threats, and no claim of responsibility has been verified. Security experts said it could be individuals acting on personal grievances or copycats, but also that it had the hallmarks of a more coordinated ‘hybrid attack’.

There is also some speculation that the threats are ramping up ahead of high-profile events taking place in Dublin next week related to Ireland’s presidency of the EU, with speculation Ukraine’s president, Volodymir Zelensky could be among the dozens of leaders in attendance.

Gardaí and RTÉ have been contacted for comment.

Sources

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