Mum’s tears making desperate plea after daughter, 16, killed in Finglas scrambler crash causes ‘worst pain imaginable’

A HEARTBROKEN mum whose daughter was killed in a crash yesterday has called for a clampdown on scramblers and e-bikes.

Grace Lynch, 16, died in hospital last night after she suffered catastrophic injuries when she was hit by a scrambler bike.

Hundreds gathered at a vigil for her tonight with pink balloons and flowers. 

The residents of Valley Park, family and friends walked through the streets of Finglas remembering the teen. 

Grace’s heartbroken mum Siobhan cried out while walking “justice for Grace, justice for my daughter”.

The teen was on her way to meet her boyfriend when the scrambler crashed into her while crossing the Ratoath Road in Finglas.

A garda escort led the vigil to Plunkett Street, where mourners sang the ballad “Grace” in her memory.  

Mum Siobhan said: “I just want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for coming out and supporting my child. 

“I will fight, and I will fight to get these scramblers and scooters and everything off these streets. 

“My poor baby was mangled in that hospital in that bed, and to watch her take her last breath is the worst pain imaginable. 

“Its something no parent should have to deal with it. And with everybody’s support, and we get petitions signed and we do the best. We will get this in the name of grace, support our Grace.”

“We are looking to go for Canice’s Church. Just to let everybody know Grace loved red.

‘WE ARE ALL DEVASTATED’

“So if you can even wear a little bit of red and just support her. She loved red.”

Neighbour Debbie O’Brien said the community is still in shock.

She told The Irish Sun: “To be honest we are all devastated. It’s something that should have never happened. 

“It’s something that we weren’t expecting to happen, and it’s something that needs to be addressed going forward.”

BAN CALL

Debbie called for better enforcement around scramblers and e-bikes on public roads.

She explained: “Fair enough I understand people can be insured and stuff.  But scramblers are not, they’re meant for off-road participation, and that’s not the case here.

“People can have scramblers if they have the trailers to bring them up to the places that they’re meant to be used in, but as of yesterday that wasn’t the case.

“So something needs to be done and addressed because this shouldn’t have happened.”

‘SCOURGE ON OUR COMMUNITIES’

Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald said her thoughts and prayers are with Grace’s family and friends in Finglas.

She said: “Scramblers are a scourge on our communities and the danger caused by reckless driving on our roads, paths and in our parks needs to be tackled once and for all.

“People have a right to be safe and secure on their streets and in public spaces.

“We need stronger laws and we need them enforced including more vehicles, drones and training for the Gardai to take on this scourge before another life is lost.”

PETITION LAUNCHED

An online petition seeking better enforcement around e-scooters and scramblers has also been launched by friends of the teenager’s family.

You can access the petition at this link.

A GoFundMe to help with Grace’s funeral costs has also been established.

Earlier, we reported how the scrambler involved in the collision was being driven by an 18-year-old man, who also had a passenger, 16.

‘DRIVING RECKLESSLY’

The driver was later arrested by officers from Finglas Garda station on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

As the Garda investigation continues, we also revealed the suspected driver of the scrambler lost an e-scooter last November when it was seized by Gardai.

The scooter was seized when the suspect, who’s from the Ballymun area, was accused of “driving recklessly” in the Drumcondra area.

He’s also suspected of being involved in drugs.

‘TERRIBLE TRAGEDY’

Earlier Marie Doyle, the principal of St Michael’s Holy Faith School in Finglas, north Dublin, paid tribute to pupil Grace.

She said: “This is a terrible tragedy for her family, our school and our community.

“We are deeply saddened by her passing. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Grace’s family and friends.

“Grace was a fifth year pupil and was a lovely, bright and kind girl – she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

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