COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 13, 2024

QUESTION NO.32

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive if he has had any contact with the Garda Siochana with regard to the effective implementation of the legislation introduced to deal with the menace of illegal scramblers; will he outline his own actions and make a statement? 

REPLY:

South Dublin County Council  assisted the Gardaí from the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) South and DMR West Divisions who conducted a Day of Action on Thursday 11 April 2024, targeting electric motorbikes suspected of being used in criminal activity including drug dealing, money laundering, transporting firearms, Drug Related Intimidation (DRI) and other serious offences.

These electric motorbikes are often driven on footpaths, parks and laneways in order to avoid detection by An Garda Síochána and have caused immense damage to our natural environment in the South Dublin County area. During the Day of Action 19 search teams comprising 120 members of An Garda Síochána searched 40 properties. During the searches, the following items were seized:

Ten Surron electric motorbikes, Twelve motorbikes and scramblers, Twelve electric bicycles and e-scooters and Three quad bikes.

SDCC will continue working with and assisting An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter.  While the Council is ready to assist again at any time it should be noted that this was a Garda operation and any decision on further similar days of action will be taken by the Gardai and not by the Council. The Council would like to extend thanks to the Gardaí for conducting these searches which contribute to the safety of our estates, parks and green spaces.