Parents of girl killed tell committee “more will die” without changes to law on scramblers and scooters

Half of the ICU beds in Temple Street children's Hospital were taken up by electric scooter injuries in July.

Sixteen-year-old Grace was walking to meet her boyfriend on the Ratoath Road in Finglas when she was fatally struck by a scrambler, she died from her injuries in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.⁠

"The use of petrol and electric scramblers, e-scooters and e-bikes have been a scourge to this country for years and the problem is getting worse due to the lack of regulations implemented by the government," her parents said.

They believe Gardai need to be trained and supplied with up to date equipment and vehicles to combat the widespread use of illegal vehicles on the roads, parks and pathways.

"We would like to highlight the ever increasing numbers going through the hospitals as a result of the misuse of these vehicles," their statement added.

"The numbers are damning and show the need to address this epidemic of reckless behaviour.

"Fr Seamus Aherne, who performed Grace's funeral said of those youngsters who use these vehicles recklessly 'they will kill or be killed'."

As of the 3rd of July, half of the ICU beds in Temple Street children's Hospital were taken up by electric scooter injuries and at present there are 400 presentations a year at Temple St because of the vehicles even though the legal age of use is 16.

Collision data from January 2021 to June 2026 states four road users died and 59 road users were seriously injured in a collision where at least one scrambler was involved.

Two of the road users who died, and 15 of the road users who were seriously injured, were not scrambler users. These 17 road users included pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and passengers.

Just over half of these casualties (53%) were male. Almost three in five (59%) were aged 25 years or less.

Of the 46 scrambler users who died or were seriously injured during this time, all of them were male.

Three quarters were aged 25 years or less.

Of the fatal and serious injury collisions involving a scrambler, three quarters of these occurred in Dublin. 6% occurred in Limerick and 6% in Cork.

The government are currently undertaking a review on both scooters and scramblers as injuries continue to happen.