Gardaí in Limerick have seized 44 scrambler bikes and other off-road vehicles such as quad bikes over the past two days, as part of a major operation targeting dangerous driving and antisocial behaviour associated with the use of these vehicles.
It follows 21 planned searches across the city by over 30 gardaí from both the Roxboro Road and Henry Street stations, who were backed up by the Regional Armed Support Unit.
Five people were arrested as part of the ongoing investigation for suspected endangerment and dangerous driving and a number of other related offences.
The Operation utilised new search and seizure powers under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 which was signed into law last July.
The new act legislates for dangerous and antisocial use of scrambler motorcycles and off-road mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs) for the first time.
Superintendent Andrew Lacey of Henry Street 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 Joint Policing Committees 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."
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said today it was great to see these new powers in action and gardaí using them to help build stronger safer communities
Gardaí say they plan to continue targeting those responsible who are breaking the law and causing harm to communities and having a detrimental impact on business and traders in the city centre.
