‘Scramblers are putting children’s lives at risk’
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THE PRESENCE of scrambler bikes continues to be a menace on some Tallaght streets, as the issue has become apparent in several areas including Kingswood, Tymon North, Killinarden, Jobstown and Bancroft Park.
Issues with scrambler bikes in the Tallaght area have been reported on extensively by The Echo on numerous occasions, but there is no sign of the problem abating.
In January, a frustrated Bancroft resident told The Echo that she feared that “someone will die” if they get hit by a speeding scrambler, while earlier that same month an elderly woman told this newspaper that she had to jump into a bush to avoid being hit by three scramblers in Tymon Park.
Last November, over 200 Kingswood residents signed a letter that was sent to local TDs and the Minister for Justice calling for action to be taken to tackle ongoing issues with scrambler bikes in the area.
Sinn Féin’s Cathal King submitted a motion for the recent meeting of the Tallaght Area Committee asking for a report on progress made about the issue, adding that it is “an enormous issue of public safety and public nuisance which needs to be addressed in partnership with An Garda Siochána.”
Cllr King told The Echo: “The problem in Tymon North is that people on scramblers are hanging around the estate – they’re putting children’s lives at risk by flying around the estate.
“We believe that new legislation is needed, and we will continue to battle locally to try and provide solutions to stop it.”
Cllr King added: “Our community needs to put pressure on TDs to put up legislation to give gardai the power to stop this.”
Cllr King’s motion wasn’t tabled at this month’s meeting of the Tallaght Area Committee, as there wasn’t enough time, however the motion will be carried over to next month’s meeting.
Sinn Féin had tried to pass legislation to tackle the issue, according to Cllr King, but their attempts were unsuccessful.
Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Mid-West, John Curran, is currently in the process of preparing legislation to increase the powers of gardai in relation to tackling the issue with scrambler bikes.
Deputy Curran said: “To date, gardai have experienced serious difficulties from an enforcement perspective when attempting to apprehend those that are causing danger in the area.
“There should be a legal requirement to register and licence these mechanically propelled vehicles in order for gardai to be able to trace their ownership.”
A taskforce comprised of Dublin’s four local authorities, gardai, including Tallaght Superintendent Ian Lackey, the Road Safety Authority and the Department of Justice was set up to tackle the issue, and they held their fourth meeting in January.
