Friday, 25th April 2025
Comyn joins forces with local families to tackle scrambler menace
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Rebecca, Keith and Frankie Byrne show Senator Alison Comyn where a scrambler knocked Frankie down in his own front garden.
Fianna Fáil Senator Alison Comyn has joined with families in East Meath to highlight the urgent need for greater enforcement against the reckless misuse of scrambler bikes, following two serious incidents in which two local boys were injured.
“Across Louth and Meath, when I’m out meeting constituents, one issue that comes up time and again is the fear caused by scramblers being recklessly driven through housing estates and public spaces" Senator Comyn stated.
“People are genuinely fearful. Parents are worried sick that their child could be the next victim. We’ve already seen two young boys in East Meath suffer serious injuries, one of whom barely cheated death. These boys were victims of the reckless behaviour of others.”
In 2023, nine-year-old Frankie Byrne was knocked down in his own front garden in Bettystown by a teenager riding a scrambler, suffering four broken bones and enduring nightmares for more than a year. Just last week, another nine-year-old boy, Shay Griffin from Mornington, was badly bruised after being knocked off his bike when a scrambler collided with him.
“The issue is not confined to East Meath" Senator Comyn stated . Tragically, last week, an 18-year-old man lost his life in Tallaght after a scrambler incident, further highlighting the urgent need for greater action nationwide."
Senator Comyn stressed that, while important legislative measures have been introduced in recent years, including powers for Gardaí to seize scramblers and quad bikes when used unlawfully. Riders must also be over 16, hold an A1 driving licence, and wear a helmet. However, enforcement remains the biggest challenge.
“These laws are a strong foundation,” Senator Comyn said. “But families are telling me these rules are being flouted with impunity. Young people are riding illegally, without insurance or licenses, and often without fear of consequence.”
“These bikes were never designed for urban areas; they were intended to help people navigate tough rural terrain, not to tear through our streets and estates, endangering children and families,” said Senator Comyn.
The problem extends beyond East Meath, with similar reports of anti-social behaviour across estates in Drogheda, including Ballsgrove, Rathmullan, and Moneymore.
Parents of the injured boys, Keith and Rebecca Byrne and Brenda Griffin, have also called for urgent action. Keith Byrne said, “If you’re buying a weapon, you need a licence. Yet these machines are just as dangerous, and far too easy for young people to get their hands on.”
Brenda Griffin added, “These bikes are a death trap and they are being ridden around the streets by children, who are not buying them for themselves, so this must all fall on the parents.
“I want to see all these scramblers off the road; these kids are too young, and have no sense, or insurance, and they know the guards won’t chase them, even though they can, as it’s too dangerous.”
Senator Comyn is now arranging meetings with the Ministers for Justice and Transport to press for greater focus on enforcement measures, alongside continued community engagement.
“This recklessness must end. We’ve made real progress on the laws, now we need to ensure they are enforced properly. I will continue to work with families and local communities to help deliver safer streets for everyone” she concluded.
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