Thomas Gould: Urgent plea to stop dangerous scramblers
Thomas Gould raises urgent safety concerns in the Dail about scrambler bikes in his Cork constituency following the death of Grace Lynch. He asks the Tánaiste to provide Gardaí with resources and to fund safe tracks so young riders have an outlet.
What Thomas Gould said
Thomas Gould detailed repeated incidents and described making multiple calls to the Gardaí. He warned that without immediate action there could be another tragedy and pressed for both policing resources and local authority funding for purpose-built trails.
Government response and responsibilities
The Tánaiste acknowledged the issue, thanked Mr Gould for raising it, and said she met Grace Lynch's parents and was struck by their advocacy. She indicated Ministers for Justice and Transport would discuss Garda resourcing, driving training and measures on ownership and traceability.
Local impact and community safety
Gould highlighted the impact on communities: parks being used as makeshift tracks and residents facing intimidation when confronting riders. He argued some young people need controlled outlets and that local authorities should be supported to provide them.
Next steps and oversight
The Tánaiste promised to engage with the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Transport and to ask Ministers O'Brien and O'Callaghan to report back with next steps. Gould pressed for immediate support for Gardaí alongside consideration of facilities funding to prevent further harm.
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Tánaiste, I want to raise the issue. There's a huge issue in my constituency with scramblers and following the new laws that came in earlier this year, following the tragic death of 16 year old Grace Lynch, communities were hoping that this would see a reduction in it. But I've had to phone the Gardaí numerous times and just Monday night gone. Three times I had to phone the Gardaí because scramblers driving dangerously in communities right across the Northside, St Mary's Road, Spriggs Road, Kilmore Road. And in the Fairfield there's a beautiful park that Cork City Council put in, a walk along for people. But the scramblers are using it like a track. And I met with people down there two weeks ago and they said they actually tried to talk to the scrambler lads to say like it's dangerous and all they're getting is abuse. And so we have a serious issue here now. The Gardaí are telling me they don't have the resources. I am asking you for two things now Tánaiste. Will you give the Gardaí the resources to tackle it and to stop it and to tackle these scramblers? But a second thing, will you give local authorities funding to put in tracks or trails? Because some people don't want to play sport, they want to be in the arts, they want to be driving cars or bikes. They have to be given an outlet and right now there's nowhere for them to go. But what must happen immediately is scramblers must be stopped because I fear there could be another tragedy. I want to thank Deputy Gould for raising this issue. I met with Grace Lynch's parents last week and really struck by their advocacy. But also the very, and I don't wish to speak for them, but also the very clear views they have on more that can and should be done in this space. And I'm very happy that we would engage with you Deputy Gould on this as well. I think there's definitely a good conversation with the Minister for Justice and Minister for Transport this week on it. I do think there's a legitimate issue around supporting the Gardaí, including potentially in relation to their driving training and resourcing and the likes as well. In fairness to Minister O'Callaghan, he's very much committed to that. I do also think there's a real issue around ownership and how you track and trace that as well. I think other countries quite frankly have done that better than we've done it so far. I've mixed views on the, mixed views might be the wrong phrase, but on the facility piece. Because some of what I hear back, I'm not sure some of these people are looking for somewhere to go and do this. I think there is, and you'd see it in your own constituency, sometimes an element of intimidation and the likes. But let me reflect more on that point. But what I will do is, on footy raising this, I'll ask the Minister O'Brien and Minister O'Callaghan to come back to you with an outline of the next steps we intend to take.
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