Siobhán and Martin Lynch speaking on Ireland AM earlier this year following the tragic death of their daughter Grace (inset)
The mother of teenager Grace Lynch has revealed she has received a series of threats in recent weeks as she continues her campaign to remove scrambler bikes from roads across Ireland.
Siobhán Lynch, whose 16-year-old daughter Grace was killed after being struck by a scrambler in Finglas in January of this year said the messages have been deeply unsettling for her family, but insisted that they will no deter her from speaking out.
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Speaking on The Claire Byrne Show, Siobhán described the scale and severity of the abuse she has received online, and that over the past month, she has been threatened with violence, including warnings that her home would be targeted along with chilling messages that someone will "put me down, they will put me where my daughter is".
The grieving mother also revealed that her daughter has been subjected to cruel online abuse, with some comments blaming Grace for her own death.
"I've had people tell me Grace was an absolute idiot, and that it's her own fault that she got killed," Siobhán said.
Mrs Lynch said that all messages that she received through social media have been saved and reported to the Gardaí, but despite the intimidation, she said she remains determined to continue the campaign, which has already led to significant legislative change.
Following Grace's death earlier this year, her mother and her father, Martin Lynch, have used their voices in the push to clamp down on the use of scrambler bikes in public spaces.
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Grace's tragic death sparked national outrage and ultimately resulted in the introduction of new regulations, referred to as "Grace's Law", aimed at banning the vehicles from public roads and parks.
Mrs Lynch said the distressing threats have been frightening for her entire family, describing them as an attempt to silence her. However, she made it clear that she will not back down.
Her continued advocacy has focused not only on legislation but also on enforcement, warning previously that without proper policing, any new laws risk becoming a "mockery" of her daughter's memory.
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