School’s heartbreaking tribute to ‘bright & kind’ girl, 16, killed in scrambler crash while ‘on way to see boyfriend’

THE teenage girl who died after being hit by a scrambler in Dublin has been remembered as a “bright and kind girl” by her school.

Grace Lynch, 16, died in hospital last night after she suffered catastrophic injuries when she was hit by the bike while crossing a road in Finglas on the way to meet her boyfriend.

A teenage boy remains in garda custody after he was arrested over the incident, which took place on the Ratoath Road between Scribblestown and Dunsink in Finglas shortly after 2pm.

Local Fianna Fail Councillor Keith Connolly told The Irish Sun that the incident was a “deep shock” to the community.

He said: “She was on the way to meet her boyfriend in the area and obviously the tragic incident happened.

“A young girl who is in fifth year in a local school should be in class today with her classmates, and she’s dead.

“And the manner in which it happened, it was obviously a scrambler bike being driven in a reckless manner, it’s just awful.”

The principal of St Michael’s Holy Faith Secondary School in Finglas, where Grace was a pupil, described the news as a “terrible tragedy” for the young girl’s family, the school and the local community.

Principal Marie Doyle said: “We are deeply saddened by her passing. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Grace’s family and friends.

“Grace was a 5th year pupil and was a lovely, bright, kind girl. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

“Our school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan.

“Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in efforts to assist our students at this time.

“Our teachers have been helping students to deal with this very sad event.”

Locals have been left reeling by the tragedy, with the community already rallying together to organise a walk in memory of the tragic teen.

The walk is understood to be starting at the traffic lights at Valley Park at 6pm this evening.

One person said on social media: “No parent should have to endure what Grace’s parents are going through.

“Grace never got to finish her walk yesterday and she deserves justice.”

FUNDRAISER LAUNCHED

Locals have also set up a fundraiser to help the family of the teenager this afternoon, with the page raising over €1,000 within just an hour of it being set up.

The GoFundMe page reads: “Hi my name is Cat. I am setting up a go fund me as there have been people reaching out asking if they can help in any way after the tragic passing of beautiful Grace.

“I thought that this would be the best way to help Grace’s parents out.

“No family should have to endure what this family are and if we could help in anyway it would be great.”

SAFETY CALLS

Meanwhile, locals have called for improved safety measures following the incident.

Cllr Connolly said that the junction where the incident occurred is “not very safe” and needs upgrading, adding that he wants to see more action from Gardai clamping down on the dangerous bikes.

He told us: “If a bike is being driven recklessly up and down the road, pulling wheelies, no helmet, there’s only one body that can deal with that, and that’s An Garda Siochana.

“And that’s not being done at the moment. So that’s the root of the problem.

“Unfortunately, some of these people are lawless and don’t abide by the law. So the only way to deal with that is to pursue them.”

People Before Profit Councillor Conor Reddy added that it was “inevitable” that someone was going to be killed by a scrambler bike in Finglas.

‘PEOPLE LIVING IN FEAR’

He told The Irish Sun: “It’s daily still that you see and hear scramblers driving recklessly around public roads, on footpaths.

“I know a lot of people, particularly people with kids and older people, live in constant fear.”

He said parents should be “culpable” if their children are using the bikes, adding that regulations putting more responsibility on guardians of young people have been introduced in other jurisdictions.

The councillor explained: “A lot of the time, you don’t have parents involved, or parents that are in a space where they can effectively parents their children.”

He said that alongside this there needed to be investment in youth clubs, stronger legislation at the point of sale, and a dedicated place where people can use the bikes recreationally.

He explained: “The only legitimate use for these things is as recreational bike on dirt tracks. They shouldn’t be on the road. They’re illegal on the road.”

GARDA MUST ACT

Sinn Fein TD Paul Donnelly called for a dedicated anti-scrambler unit to be established by the Gardai.

He said on social media: “There’s a number of things that the Gardai management can do to tackle this, but there is not political will to challenge it?

“Maybe because the scourge of scramblers doesn’t affect their communities?”

The Sinn Fein man added: “One is too many and my deepest condolences go to Grace’s Family, friends, neighbours and community in Finglas.

“I’ll make another appeal to the parents of those who own scramblers and use them on our streets, you have it in your hands to save a life.”

‘HAD HER WHOLE LIFE AHEAD’

Dessie Ellis, Sinn Fein TD for Dublin North West, said on social media: “I cannot imagine the pain that they are going through now, with the loss of such a lovely young girl, who had her whole life ahead of her.

“The scourge of scramblers has been a major problem for many years and one that I have raised on many occasions in the Dáil.”

He continued: “This latest tragic incident shows that the existing legislation is not sufficient.”

Gardai have confirmed an investigation has been launched into the incident, with Forensic Collision Investigators yesterday conducting an examination of the scene.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident has been asked to come forward.

A garda spokesperson said: “Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the area between 2.10pm and 2.40pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Finglas Garda Station on (01) 6667500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”