By Karim Hammam
British broadcaster Sky said on Friday it had received a security threat, hours after Irish broadcaster RTE evacuated its Dublin building following a bomb threat, and as a wave of bomb threats disrupted European flights this week.
Sky statement
Sky, owned by Comcast, said it was one of several media organisations that received a security threat. The broadcaster carried out a security assessment and reported the matter to the relevant authorities, adding that the safety of its colleagues is its primary concern and it is working closely with authorities to ensure operations remain secure.
RTE evacuation
Earlier on Friday, RTE said the threat it received claimed to be from the same group behind a series of bomb threats issued to passenger flights around Europe this week. The threat, which reportedly warned a bomb would detonate in 45 minutes, was later deemed a hoax. Staff were allowed to return to the building in central Dublin around 10am, though RTE's campus in south Dublin remained closed while police checked it building by building.
Prime minister response
Irish prime minister Micheal Martin described the incident as worrying and said it illustrates how relatively simple it can be to cause disruption and undermine the normal operation of society. He urged the public to remain calm and focused.
Wider context
The incidents come amid a wave of bomb threats that have affected European flights throughout the week, causing widespread disruption.
