Laura Colgan and Finnian Curran Exclusive

Gardaí are probing a potential gun attack threat to students and staff at IT Sligo after a note outlining plans for a shooting was discovered on the campus.

The handwritten note, seen exclusively by Buzz.ie, detailed a student's plans to buy a gun from the Dark Web and "smoke them all" during an exam next month.

The anonymous note was found in a classroom last week.


The student stated they bought a Glock 17 pistol on the dark net website Silkroad.com and planned to bring the gun and "two magazines with equal amounts of 40 bullets" to an exam hall in January.

The disturbing letter outlined the student's plans to "kill six students within the period of ten minutes slowly and painfully".

The note suggested its writer had been bullied for their poor English language skills and planned the shooting as revenge.

The note in full reads:

"Letter towards my mean class members.

"I feel very sad because my class members bully me, they are a bunch of dicks, they pick on me because my English is very bad.

"I promised myself that I'd bring a fully loaded Glock 17 and smoke them all. I bought the gun on the dark web on Silk Road. It's going to come by the 9th of December and I'll bring it to an exam hall on the 15th of January and use it then.


"I plan to kill six students within the period of ten minutes, slowly and painfully. I will have two magazines with equal amounts of 40 bullets."

Officials in college reported the threat to Gardaí immediately after the note was found last week.

A Garda investigation is ongoing and it is understood there is "no viable immediate threat" to students and staff at the college.

However, it is understood the threat is not being treated as a hoax.

An email was circulated to staff and students at IT Sligo about the incident, advising that the Gardaí's investigation is ongoing and the "safety and security of our students and staff is paramount".

The email, from IT Sligo's President Dr Brendan McCormack, said:"The matter was immediately referred to the Gardaí, who have conducted a series of enquiries.

"Their investigation into the incident is continuing. I want to assure you that all appropriate security arrangements are in place.


"The Institute continues to consult with the Gardaí on a daily basis."

A spokesperson for IT Sligo confirmed it is cooperating with the Garda investigation and has put safety measures in place.

Further details of these safety measures have not been revealed in order to protect IT Sligo's staff and students.

A Garda spokesman also confirmed an investigation is ongoing.

Featured image credit: IT Sligo