Limerick gardaí criticised for not dealing with 'highly dangerous' scrambler use in city

A SUPERINTENDENT in charge of the Roads Policing Division has warned of the dangers to public health posed when pursuing youths on scrambler bikes in Limerick city.

Deputy Maurice Quinlivan criticised gardaí at a meeting of the Joint Policing Sub-Committee (JPC), citing concerns from road users both in the city and in private housing estates.

"It used to be confined to certain areas but it's now in the core of the city centre. They are disguising who they are through balaclavas," Deputy Quinlivan warned.

He stressed that the constant noise is very unfair on residents on both the north side and south side of the city and asked that gardaí do more to "clamp down on the perpetrators."

In response, Superintendent Aileen Magner said that the danger posed to the public in the chase has made it difficult for gardaí to bring prosecutions related to their use in the city.

New Year’s Day busiest for domestic abuse calls in Limerick

"We absolutely share your concern. We ourselves have seen people on balaclavas going about their business on them and it is very frightening for residents in the city," she said.

Supt Magner outlined that prosecutions for such offences rely solely on interceptions while driving and that users have to be caught in the act by gardaí.

"The interception of offenders is difficult given dangers of a pursuit to the individuals involved due to no helmets and heavy traffic. It is a danger to gardaí, the individuals and road users in the city," she said.

In response to an increase in scrambler use, Limerick gardaí have been engaging with communities in the city, Supt Magner added.

She also told elected members present that a new roads policing bill, the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, is currently before the Dáil, which provides for new powers of seizure for gardaí.

This will allow gardaí to enter without warrant and through reasonable force, seize scramblers being used dangerously, as opposed to only being able to intercept when in use.

"This new bill will give us the powers we need. There have been 15 interceptions of scrambler vehicles in Limerick city alone this year, with some of them as young as 12. It's a tragedy waiting to happen," Supt Magner said.