THE MINISTER FOR Justice Helen McEntee has said that whoever is responsible for a number of hoax bomb threats on Government offices today will be held accountable.

Multiple Government departments were evacuated this afternoon after a number of hoax bomb threats were received.

It is understood that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Justice were all evacuated.

It is believed that offices of the Labour Court were also evacuated as a result of a bomb threat.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed this afternoon that following the investigations all threats were deemed to be hoaxes.

“Gardaí are aware of a number of security alerts at Government buildings this afternoon, Friday 21st July 2023,” a garda spokesperson said.

Following further enquiries An Garda Síochána is satisfied that all of the alerts have been deemed as hoax and the areas have been declared safe.

Speaking to reporters today at Store Street Garda Station, Minister McEntee said that it was her understanding that the incidents had been confirmed as hoaxes.

“What I would say is, this is obviously a really serious issue to happen. It disrupts an entire business or building but it’s also very scary for those involved,” the minister

So these people who are responsible… obviously the gardaí will spare no expense in making sure that they’re held accountable.

It is understood that earlier gardaí advised the evacuation of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment out of an abundance of caution, but that it wasn’t believed there was an immediate threat at the time.

An email sent to staff said that a bomb threat had been received at the building, which is located at 23 Kildare Street.

Staff were advised to work from home and not try to access the building. 

With reporting from Niall O’Connor and Christina Finn