New regulations needed to fully implement a ban on the use of scrambler motorbikes in public places will come into effect on Friday.
There were renewed Government efforts to develop the regulations to help enforce the existing ban on scramblers on roads and in parks after the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch in January.
She died after being hit by a scrambler as she used a pedestrian crossing on Ratoath Road, Finglas. A man later appeared in court charged in connection with the incident.
The new regulations are to be known as Grace’s Law in her memory.
Grace Lynch died after being hit by a scrambler as she used a pedestrian crossing in Finglas in January. Photograph: RIP.ie
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien brought the regulations to Cabinet on Wednesday.
In a statement afterwards, the Department of Transport said the new regulations come into effect on April 3rd “strengthening existing provisions and powers of enforcement by An Garda Síochána”.
“The Road Traffic (Control of Certain Vehicles) Regulations 2026 bring additional legal clarity by consolidating the disparate existing provisions into a single legislative instrument in respect of scramblers.”
The new regulations prohibit the use of a scrambler or quad bike in any place other than on private land.
The department said: “Using a scrambler in any public place will now explicitly be an offence, whether or not it is being driven dangerously.”
Off-road motorcycles are now only legal for use on private land by the landowner themselves, or with their written consent.
“This will allow for the continued appropriate off-road use of scramblers or quad bikes, for agricultural purposes and for controlled licensed sports events,” the statement said.
“The Department of Transport, in consultation with the Department of Justice, is currently finalising regulations to substantially increase the cost of releasing a scrambler following seizure.”
In response to a query from The Irish Times on the timing of the introduction of the increased release fees, the Department of Transport said: “The intention is that they will be introduced in the coming weeks.”
The current fees for the release of a seized scrambler are €125 on the day of detention and €35 for each day of storage.
In terms of the penalties that will apply to those caught using a scrambler in a public place: a fine of up to €1,000 can be applied to a first offence rising to up to €2,000 for a second offence. A third or subsequent offence in a 12-month period can lead to a fine of up to €2,000 and/or up to three months in prison.
Gardaí have the power to dispose of a vehicle that has not been claimed or in cases where the fee has not been paid three weeks after the date of detention, provided two weeks’ notice of the intention to dispose is given.
Gardaí also have powers to seize scramblers being driven dangerously in any location and can legally dispose of a vehicle two months after detention.
The department said: “Enforcement of these powers is a matter for An Garda Síochána.”
O’Brien said: “The regulations will ensure that gardaí have the full enforcement powers to remove the use of scramblers in public places and protect the safety of all road users.”
He added: “To honour the memory of Grace Lynch, and with the permission of her family, together these provisions applied to scramblers will be known as ‘Grace’s Law’.
“I hope that Grace’s name will be as a reminder to all of us that dangerous road use puts the lives of our friends, neighbours and families at risk.”
Speaking earlier on his way into Cabinet, O’Brien thanked Grace’s parents for engaging with him in relation to the Bill.
“I want to thank them sincerely for their engagement directly with me, for the dignified way in which they’ve been managing this awful, awful tragedy.
“I know nothing that we do is going to bring Grace back, but I hope that this is some small, small consolation, and that knowing that these additional changes that are on top of what was brought forward in 2023 are done in her name.”
Asked about a garda who was given a road ban for dangerous driving while pursuing scrambler bikes, he said he was “taken aback” by the case.
He said he had met Minister of Justice Jim O’Callaghan in relation to the issue on Tuesday.
“This needs to be dealt with. I don’t want to reach into decisions of the judiciary, but I will say as a citizen, I was taken aback by that judgment,” he said.
“Our guards need to be able to carry out their duties without fear or favour. They’re well-trained, they know how to pursue criminals, they need to be able to do that.
“Obviously, judges have discretion in relation to making their judgment, and that’s something that I respect, but we will deal with this.”