Scrambler and quads being used for drug trafficking
By Aideen O'Flaherty
SCRAMBLER bikes are “a scourge” in every community in the county and, in some cases, are being used for criminal activity, according to a councillor.
The ongoing issues with scramblers and quad bikes in the county were discussed at the recent South Dublin County Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting, where it was noted that some scrambler bikes are now being used for drug trafficking.
In addition to this, the difficulties that gardai face when trying to address this problem, particularly when riders will not stop, were also discussed.
Deirdre O’Donovan, the chair of the JPC and an Independent councillor for Rathfarnham, told The Echo: “There is a working group [trying to tackle the scrambler issue] which Chief Superintendent Ian Lackey has attended, and Minister Charlie Flanagan has also sent his personnel to the meeting.
“What has to happen is that, at the point of purchase, people have to be registered [as being the owner of the scrambler bike].
“The gardai are proactive in getting bikes seized, and South Dublin County Council are looking at the boundaries in their parks to make them inaccessible for scramblers.
“They are an absolute scourge to every community in the county.”
The issue with scramblers has ramped up in recent months as it is understood that, in some instances, scramblers have been used for criminal activity.
Sinister element
“We know that scramblers are being used by criminal gangs,” said Cllr O’Donovan. “There’s a sinister element there.”
A garda spokesperson told The Echo: “Community policing patrols have been put in place to try and tackle problems with scramblers in the Tallaght and Rathfarnham areas.
“A number of these vehicles were seized over the summer months and community Gardai have been involved in targeted operations against the users of such vehicles.
“A taskforce has been established between the four Dublin Local Authorities, Department of Justice, Department of Transport, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority in relation to dealing with ongoing matters about the use, misuse and dangers of Scramblers and quadbikes across Dublin City and County.
“The main difficultly in dealing with this issue lies in current legislation and the taskforce is examining this at present.”
TAGS news
