‘Get rid of it’ alert & fresh scramblers ban vow as Govt insists move not ‘knee-jerk reaction’ to Grace Lynch’s death

TRANSPORT Junior Minister Sean Canney has said “more regulation is coming” to tackle the use of scramblers and insisted the move is not a “knee-jerk reaction” to tragic death of a teen in Finglas.

Grace Lynch, 16, died in hospital on Sunday after she suffered catastrophic injuries after being hit by the scrambler while crossing a road in Finglas on the way to meet her boyfriend.

Minister Canney said: “I want to extend my sympathies, deep sympathies with the Lynch family and that’s on behalf of myself, the department and the government.

“What we will endeavour to do is to bring in necessary legislation to deal with issues like this. 

“We will make sure that scramblers are banned off the roads. 

“The gardai have the power to seize scramblers. Over the last two years they have confiscated, I think it’s something like 300 something scramblers. So the laws that are there are being enforced.”

The Minister explained gardai have “enforcement powers” to take people to court who are driving any kind of vehicle dangerously.

He said: “What we are doing now is we are bringing forward a proposal to ban all scramblers on public roads and public places, full stop.”

He continued: “Legislation is there, more regulation is coming into place and we’re hopefully in the coming weeks bringing more government on that. 

“It’s not a knee-jerk reaction, it’s something that has been worked on by the department with the gardai, the department of justice for the last six legislations brought in.

“It’s to try and find a way of bringing legislation that will work, a regulation that will work and give more power to the Minister to issue direction. And that’s what’s being done.”

Minister Canney said the message is “don’t wait to be caught”.

He continued: “Get rid of it, use it in a place, private place, wherever, but make sure that you’re protecting your own life, that of your family and that of your neighbours. 

“Do not drive a scrambler around a residential area. There’s no need to do it.

“You are inviting trouble and you’re inviting trouble on your neighbours and your friends. Please respect other people’s lives as well.”

BACKING BAN

CEO of the Road Safety Authority, Sam Waide, said the RSA “wholly welcomes” the banning of scramblers. 

He said: “On an educational note, scramblers are not designed in the main for road use, including on particular tyres.

“And that is the most vital component of a vehicle on the road, so we welcome the decision to ban those scramblers. 

“There are motorbikes that are road legal and are designed for road use, but scramblers in the main are designed for off-road and dirt tracks and fields, not for roads and public places.”

DEATH FIGURES

New figures show 188 people lost their lives on Irish roads in 2025 following 179 fatal collisions across the country.

A total of eight people have lost their lives on Irish roads as of Wednesday.

Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne advised: “Driving requires your full attention.

“When you pick up a mobile phone, read a message, or interact with any device behind the wheel, you are placing yourself, your passengers, and every other road user at risk. 

“No call, message or notification is worth a life. Put the phone away, remove distractions, and stay focused on the road.”

“We are asking everyone to play their part. A safe journey is the responsibility of every driver. 

“By eliminating distractions and making safe decisions, you can help ensure that all road users arrive home safely.”