Grace's Law: Mother calls for more garda powers to crack down on scrambler bikes

Grace Lynch, 16, died after she was struck by a scrambler on January 25 near her home in Finglas, west Dublin. File picture

The mother of Grace Lynch has said she is not satisfied with the details of the proposed Grace’s Law to ban scramblers, and is calling for gardaí to be given a second licence to enforce the legislation without repercussions.

Grace, 16, died after she was struck by a scrambler on January 25 near her home in Finglas, west Dublin.

An 18-year-old man has been charged in connection with her death.

The Government has responded to the her death by moving legislation through the Oireachtas to ban scrambler bikes in public places. 

However, Grace's mother Siobhán Gifford Lynch, said the ban will not work, and that gardaí need additional support.

“It is bittersweet because the gardaí can’t do anything at the moment. A garda received a ban from driving for chasing a scrambler. So, this is not working already” she told the Irish Examiner, referring to the case of Garda Sean Shields this week. 

A court ruling saw Garda Shields fined and banned from driving for two years for dangerous driving while in pursuit of two masked scrambler riders in Dublin in 2024. 

"We want gardaí to be given a second licence so they don't face the wrath of the law over chasing these lads on bikes.

“We talked to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin [on Wednesday night] but we are also pushing to meet the Minister for Justice to make this happen for the gardaí."

Ms Gifford Lynch said the gardaí have been in contact and that the family has asked to meet the Garda commissioner.

“I told the Taoiseach on Wednesday night; you’re not giving me what I need to here. We have no enforcement and we need the gardaí to be given a special licence to be able to do this work. 

All I am seeing now is a knee-jerk reaction, and if that is all this is, then that is no good.

Since July 2023, off‑road scramblers have been illegal on public roads, and it has also been an offence to drive them dangerously anywhere — including on private land.

“If we can’t give gardaí a second licence or new powers to catch scramblers, then why are we doing this?” said Grace's father Michael Lynch.

“We want them to have a separate driving licence for this. If people on scramblers are driving dangerously, they have to be stopped because anyone in their path is a potential victim.

“The gardaí are asking us to speak to ministers for them; they can be sacked, fined, or convicted at the moment for this work.

“We want a separate driving licence for the gardaí, and we have raised that with the Taoiseach and to indemnify them. They can’t do their job right now. Scramblers need to be stopped.

It is all great giving Grace a law, but when there is nothing in it, it’s of no benefit. 

"This is not a new law, but it is an unworkable law.

Grace’s parents said locals have been supportive, but want scramblers stamped out. 

“The bikes are still creeping back in. We are still seeing them all the time, but we want major fines for parents who allow their kids have these bikes. We want to see the parents fined, and not little fines — huge fines," said Ms Gifford Lynch.

Mr Lynch added: “The vendors also need to be checked and kids under 18 should not be allowed buy a scrambler."

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