Gardaí used new powers to search 21 premises and seize 44 scrambler bikes in Limerick 

Superintendent says gardaí will continue to use the new search-and-seize powers to clamp down on people breaking the law or causing harm to their communities

Five people were arrested for suspected endangerment, dangerous driving and other related matters after the operation in Limerick City. Stock picture

Gardaí have used new legislative powers to seize dozens of scrambler bikes in Limerick City.

The operation involved searches of 21 premises at locations across the city, resulting in the seizure of 44 scrambler bikes and off-road vehicles.

Five people were arrested for suspected endangerment, dangerous driving and other related matters.

The operation involved 30 gardaí with additional support from the Armed Response Unit.

It was the first time gardaí in Limerick have used the new search and seizure powers under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023. 

Garda Superintendent Andrew Lacey, Henry Street Garda Station, said it had “given us the capacity to carry out this targeted operation to confront a growing problem in the city” of anti-social behaviour on scramblers, which are also used to transport drugs.

“Through our various interactions in joint policing committees and local community meetings, we received a clear message that this behaviour is causing fear, intimidation, and distress across the city,” Supt Lacey said.

We are acutely aware of the problem ourselves and can correlate the use of scramblers and e-scooters to criminal activities with a number of detections in the sale and supply of drugs in recent months.

“With the new powers in place, we plan to continue with these operations if those responsible continue to break the law, cause harm to communities, or have a detrimental effect on business and traders in the city centre,” he said.  

The new search and seizure powers were signed into law on July 31, legislating for the dangerous and antisocial use of scrambler motorcycles and off-road mechanically propelled vehicles.

A wider operation linked to the seizures resulted in five men and three women being arrested and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, as well as the Criminal Justice Public Order Act 1994, after guns, cash and drugs were seized by gardaí, following searches in Limerick, Clare, and Cork.

Up until now, gardaí were largely hamstrung by a lack of legislation around tackling the illegal use of scrambler bikes.

Gardai had been planning the searches and seizures of scramblers for a number of weeks because their use in illegal activities in Limerick City had exploded in recent months.

“It’s just got out of control and they were doing some damage around the town, so we had to act,” said a Garda source.

We were just waiting for the legislation, and that’s why this is significant because it is the first time the legislation has been used.  

“It has given gardaí the power to search and seize in and around houses, which wouldn’t have been there previously.” 

Rank-and-file gardaí have been ordered by management not to engage in high-speed pursuits of scramblers as it would be considered too dangerous for other road users.

“So this is the way to do it. The message to them will be if they want to keep doing it, then we’ll keep doing this. It will be a constant thing.”