RTÉ and media groups evacuated after bomb threat in Dublin

Staff at RTÉ, Newstalk, and Mediahuis were evacuated on Friday, November 6, 2026, following a wave of bomb threats sent via email to newsrooms across Ireland and Britain. According to rte.ie, the national broadcaster received an alert warning that an explosive device would detonate on its Donnybrook campus within 45 minutes.

Garda Response at the Donnybrook Campus

Gardaí were at the RTÉ campus. Presenters and staff were evacuated. RTÉ shifted to pre-recorded programming as a precaution, though RTÉ’s Today with David McCullagh program on Radio 1 remained on air from a mobile roadcaster. During the disruption, presenter Marty Whelan described the situation on air as a scary moment and noted, In all the years I’ve been here, I’ve never come across this ever, as reported by the Irish Independent.

Wider Evacuations Across Dublin Media Offices

The security alert extended far beyond Donnybrook. reported that Mediahuis evacuated its offices on Talbot Street in Dublin, though staff returned to their desks by midmorning after the building was deemed safe. Marconi House, home to Bauer Media’s Newstalk and Today FM operations, was also emptied. Reports noted that presenter Claire Byrne had to halt an ongoing interview on her program to announce her departure from the airwaves. Meanwhile, Virgin Media received the threat at its Ballymount facility in west Dublin but did not evacuate, opting to continue broadcasting.

Taoiseach Confirms Active Investigation into Disruption Responsibility

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 via a mobile phone connection, confirmed that authorities are actively investigating who is behind the disruption. However, we will go after this to identify who’s responsible and to hold them accountable, Mr. Martin stated. He further noted that the Government has remained fully cognizant of the situation, pointing out that current European security risks are at their highest level in quite some time. Asked directly about possible Russian involvement, he said: I’m not going to make any comment at the stage as to who is responsible.

Tánaiste Simon Harris described the situation to Cork’s 96FM as evolving in real time, noting that authorities do not yet know whether an individual or a coordinated group is responsible. The threats purportedly stem from the same source behind a series of hoax bomb alerts that affected nearly 30 flights across Europe on Thursday—impacting carriers like Aer Lingus and Ryanair—as well as further alerts earlier in the week affecting flights and a cruise ship.

International Security Measures

Copenhagen Police issued a statement regarding parallel disruptions, noting, We are once again at Copenhagen Airport today in connection with threats directed at air traffic. Social Democrats media spokesperson Sinéad Gibney stated that the threats made against the media organisations deserve the strongest possible condemnation. Outlining the broader operational context for safeguarding upcoming summits, officials noted, Europe is a democracy, and we want to maintain, obviously, and be in a position to host significant meetings, like the European Political Community meeting next week, and indeed the Informal European Union Council next week, adding, I want people to know we are alive to these risks.

More on Dublin: Aer Lingus Dublin to Rome flight diverted to France after bomb threat · Dublin Health Food Shop Closed Over Cockroach Infestation, per RTE · Dublin Killer Freed After 45 Years: 63-Year-Old Released From Prison