Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Royal Visit

Gardaí took angle-grinders to some bike locks in Dublin today (but they'll pay the owners back)

The bikes were removed from Camden Street, where Meghan and Harry where having lunch.

CYCLISTS WHO PARKED their bikes along Camden Street in Dublin this morning may be left a little mystified later – gardaí have been removing bikes from the street today due to the presence of the visiting royal couple.

Meghan and Harry have been visiting the Áras, Croke Park and Trinity College today – and went for lunch at Delahunt on Camden Street ahead of their afternoon engagements.

A video from the southside street showing a garda cutting through a lock and removing a bike as other security officials looked on was posted to Twitter this afternoon – prompting some surprise, and a few calls to Joe Duffy’s Liveline.

“If you left your bike locked on Camden Street today and it was gone when you returned to it, please contact @GardaTraffic – whose efficiency knows no bounds when vehicles are causing obstructions,” campaign group Dublin Cycling tweeted, tongue-in-cheek, adding a hashtag #FreeTheCycleLanesDublin.

Gardaí provided this statement:

“While An Garda Siochana does not comment on the details of security measures for VIP events, two bikes were removed from the Camden Street area by Gardaí today 11th July 2018 and taken to Pearse Street Garda Station were they can be collected by the owners.

“The locks on these bikes were also removed by Gardaí and the owners will be fully reimbursed.”

The statement said that the bikes were removed to mitigate “any potential hazard or interruption to the VIPs as they were parked directly on front of a designated entrance”.

“There was an order in place for the area under section 21 of the Criminal Justice/Public Order act. An Garda Siochana apologises for any inconvenience caused in this incident.”

Your Voice
Readers Comments
87
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel