Issue Date: 26th October 2023
As part of ongoing operations by Gardaí in Limerick city targeting dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour incidents associated with the use of scrambler bikes and other off-road vehicles, a planned operation, coordinated by Limerick City South (Roxboro Road) and Limerick City North (Henry Street) Community Engagement Functional Areas, took place on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th October 2023.
In the course of the operation a total of 21 (twenty one) searches were carried out at locations across Limerick city resulting the seizure of 44 (forty four) scrambler bikes and off-road vehicles.
Five (5) individuals were arrested as part of ongoing investigations for suspected endangerment and dangerous driving and other related matters.
The operation involved 30 (thirty) Gardaí, with additional support from the Armed Support Unit (ASU), and was planned and coordinated by Limerick City South (Roxboro Road) and Limerick City North (Henry Street) Community Engagement Functional Areas, through ongoing collaborative policing initiatives between the two areas.
Superintendent Andrew Lacey (Henry Street Garda Station) said, "Gardaí in Limerick welcome the new search and seizure powers under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, which have given us the capacity to carry out this targeted operation to confront a growing problem in the City.
"Through our various interactions in JPCs and local community meetings we received a clear message that this behaviour is causing fear, intimidation and distress across the City. 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.”
